Some of the seniors at the recent FFA banquet with their sashes for graduation. From left to right: Charles Kaufman, Tyler Quigley, Andrew Kajer, Laura Novotny, Emily Hopper and Erin Clayton. Photo Provided

The month of April was a busy one for the South Tama County FFA Chapter. April 20 and 21, there was twenty FFA members that participated in the career show and in the general sessions of the 87th annual Iowa FFA State convention in Ames, Iowa. While there, the chapter brought back three awards. South Tama was awarded honorable mention for the Iowa Farmer Today journalism award.

After selling toy tractors for the FFA Association booth at the Iowa State Fair in August, South Tama was also given a plaque in recognition for raising over $1,000 for the association. For hosting their Importance of Ag Expo last spring, the chapter also won first place in the area of community development category.

Abby Llewellyn was chosen as a finalist for the Rising Star award. This is an award for sophomores around the state with an outstanding supervised agricultural experience (SAE).

Haley Shope participated in the Iowa FFA band, which performed twice during the general sessions.

Spring Banquet

Garritt Zimmerman, junior. Drew Dostal, sophomore. Seth Hoskey, freshman. Hanging out before a general session, wearing free headbands they won at the Kirkwood College Booth. Photo Provided

The FFA held their annual spring banquet on April 26, at the Otter Creek Nature Center. The banquet’s agenda included awards, retiring officer addresses, and officer installment. Local proficiency awards were given to juniors and seniors with outstanding SAE’s.

These included: Senior Charles Kaufman; AG Mechanics, Senior Erin Clayton; AG Education, Senior Laura Novotny; AG Processing, Junior Mindy Ryan; Poultry Production, Junior Haley Shope; Sheep Production, and Senior Tyler Quigley; AG Sales.

The Star Greenhand Award which is presented to an outstanding freshman was awarded to Derek Novotny.

Drew Dostal, was chosen as the Star Chapter Farmer, which goes to a sophomore.

There were five seniors and only one junior on the 2014-2015 officer team. Haley Shope; Sentinel, Tyler Quigley; Reporter, Andrew Kajer; Treasurer, Charles Kaufman; Secretary, Erin Clayton; Vice President, and Laura Novotny; President. After giving their retiring officer addresses, it was time to install the new officers for the 2015-2016 officer team. The new team goes as follows: Sentinel – Drew Dostal, Reporter – Madison Waterbury, Treasurer – Haley Shope, Secretary – Kyle Kucera, Vice President – Garrett Princehouse, and President – Abby Llewellyn.

Laura Novotny with the Ambassador award plaque. Photo Provided