By: Anna Rodriguez, Kuna FFA Chapter Reporter
The Kuna FFA Chapter held their 61st annual banquet on Monday April 26th at Kuna High School. The banquet was very successful and had over 250 members, parents, and community supporters attend. The banquet recognizes FFA members and their accomplishments throughout the year.
Greenhands are first year members who have the opportunity to receive a few awards like the Greenhand Scholarship, sponsored by Larry and Margaret Roberts, and the Greenhand Leadership Award, sponsored by Bernie and Rita Ball. Greenhand scholarship recipients were, Peter Brown, Quinn Christensen, Mackenzie Peace, Cassidy Phillips, Amanda Reynolds, Zachary Reynolds, Samantha Ann Roberts, Madeline Tolbert, and Kaitlynn Vincent. Greenhand Leadership award recipients were, Max Blitman, Zach Negomir, Taylor Lee, Mackenzie Peace, Cassidy Phillips, Amanda Reynolds, Zachary Reynolds, and Samantha Ann Roberts.
The Letter Award recipients are those who have met the requirements for each year who have acquired the amount of points needed through FFA activities. First year recipients were, Kalisa Avril, Max Blitman, Peter Brown, Amber Callen, Quinn Christensen, Taylor Lee, Mel McPherson, Zach Negomir, Mackenzie Peace, Cassidy Phillips, Amanda Reynolds, Zachary Reynolds, Samantha Ann Roberts, Madeline Tolbert, and Kaitlynn Vincent. Second Year members were, Chris Ball, Brett Blackstock, Kevin Brown, Gilbert Doan, Jeni Haglar, Scott Hukill, Bob Humphrey, Marah Johnson, Kelsey Moore, Mark Nebeker, Chelsi Pawson, Brynn Powell, Maggie Reynolds Anna Rodriguez, Alyssa Shankel, Heather Skovgard, Kinsie Ward, Kim Ware, Kayla Wartman, Kaisa Werner, Zack Wilson, Josh Winger, and Marcy Winger. Third year members were, Michelle Ball, Eriks Garsvo, Hayley Johnson, Johnny Lucero, Katy Szatkowski, and Marria Unser. And finally, Fourth year members were, Rachael Ashley, Hailey Cortez, Sam Emmert, Bryce Hill, Brandi Hukill, Summer Lowe, Erick McKague, Brittney Ratliff, Jessica Reynolds, and Alison Whale. Our chapter would like to thank the following sponsors for this award. They are: Dale & Mary Reynolds, Don & Mary Johnson, Lavar & Wilma Thornton and Justin & Allison Touchstone.
Proficiency Awards were presented to members with outstanding SAE Projects. The recipients by area were Brynn Powell (Specialty Crop Production), Chris Ball (Forage Production and Diversified Crop), Marcy Winger (Sheep Production), Jeni Haglar (Dairy Production and Diversified Livestock), Mark Nebeker (Beef Production), Maggie Reynolds ( Beef production Placement), Heather Skovgard (Equine Science), Madeline Tolbert (Poultry Production), Zach Wilson (Landscape Management), Brett Berheim (Swine Production), Hannah Christensen (Extemporaneous Speaking), Brittany Ratliff (Prepared Public Speaking), and Quinn Christensen (Creed Speaking).
Three Star awardees were also recognized. They are: Zachary Reynolds (Star Chapter Greenhand), sponsored by Larry and Margaret Roberts; Maggie Reynolds (Star Chapter Ag Placement), sponsored by Alan and Debra Magee; and Mark Nebeker (Star Chapter Farmer) Sponsored by Richard and Kathy Jordan.
The workhorse Award, sponsored by McPherson Farms, is given to a non-officer FFA member who has a strong work ethic and this award went to Kevin Brown.
The Chapter awarded Ted Wheeler and Chris Brown the Distinguished Service Award. The Kuna FFA Chapter has had the opportunity to work closely with Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Brown who have helped support the chapter, especially with the Scholarship Auction. Their great advise and help has been extremely beneficial to the chapter.
Although many awards are earned by younger members, the chapter also recognized the graduating seniors for their many accomplishments throughout high school. The Outstanding Senior Award was shared by Sam Emmert, and Jessica Reynolds. The Outstanding FFA Member Award was given to Rachael Ashley and Hannah Christensen. The Agricultural Achievement Award was received by Bryce Hill, and Brandi Hukill. The senior scholarship winners were, Jessica Reynolds ( Lloyd Brown & Ada County Farm Bureau Scholarships), Bryce Hill (Wayne & Blanche Kuhlman Scholarship), Brandi Hukill (Dale and Mary Reynolds Scholarship). The recipients of the Advisory Committee Scholarships were, Brittni Unser, Alison Whale, Rachael Ashley, Sam Emmert, Summer Lowe and Ashlyn Skogsberg. Congratulations seniors! We are thankful for everything you have done for our chapter.
Honorary membership is awarded to parents, teachers, and others who help advance agricultural education and the FFA. This year the chapter was delighted to add Paul Unser & Selina Baldwin (parents of Brittney and Marria Unser), Shon and Karen Ashley (parents of Rachael Ashley), Angus and Denise Hill (parents of Bryce Hill), Chris and Beverly Emmert, (parents of Sam Emmert), Robert and Angela Hukill, (parents of Brandi and Scott Hukill), and Mr. Matt Paxton (history teacher and chapter supporter).
The Kuna FFA Chapter finished the night by installing the new 2010-2011 chapter officers. They are, President- Katelyn Szatkowski; Vice President- Michelle Ball; Secretary- Marcy Winger; Treasurer- Hayley Johnson; Reporter- Anna Rodriguez; Sentinel- Scott Hukill; Assistant Reporter- Maggie Reynolds; Scrapbook Reporter- Marria Unser; Sergeant at Arms- Chris Ball; Parliamentarian- Brett Blackstock; Historians- Jeni Haglar; Kelsey Moore, and Brett Berheim.
The Kuna FFA Chapter would like to share a special thank you to Mrs. Berheim and Roxanne Berheim for decorations, Ann Wartman and Rita Ball for dinner and desserts, and the Cobler Family for table cloths. As in any event there are many more people to thank who work behind the scenes, therefore we thank all sponsors who may not have been previously mentioned and would like to congratulate all award winners and recipients!