Continuing an 82 year-old tradition at Dexter High School, the local chapter of Future Farmers of America recognized members and celebrated successes Thursday evening.
The FFA chapter held Parents Night Thursday night, and awarded the Greenhand Degree to 33 members and the Chapter FFA Degree to 20. The recognition meeting was held in the DHS cafeteria with parents and FFA members in attendance.
The meeting was called to order by chapter president Alex Neldon. In keeping with FFA tradition, each officer was introduced and explained the function of their position. Chapter officers this year include: Alex Neldon, President; Chelsey Massey, Vice President; Christin Sitzes, Secretary; Shelby Edwards, Treasurer; Nick McCollough, Reporter; and Dustin Bates, Sentinel. Ronnie Shipman is the chapter adviser.
Students who exhibited crops and livestock at the Stoddard County Fair earlier this fall were recognized, presented with their ribbons and prize money. Chapter members who participated at the fair include:
- Colton Averett: 4 blue, 2 red and 1 white ribbon; cash awards of $57;
- Will Baker: 2 blue ribbons for his soybeans and $18 in cash awards;
- Dustin Bates: 1 red ribbon for corn; $6 in cash award;
- Shelby Edwards: 1 blue and 1 red; cash award of $15;
- Savannah Hicks: 2 blue ribbons for her soybeans and $18 in cash awards;
- Chelsey Massey: 3 blue ribbons for her hogs and $36 in cash awards;
- Jamie Manuel: 16 blue ribbons, 1 red for her hogs and $135 in cash awards.
Chelsey Massey was also recognized as the top salesperson on the chapter’s fundraiser this fall. She received a plaque and $100 prize for selling $1075 during the fundraising project.
The FFA Greenhand Degree is given at the chapter level and is the first degree members work toward earning. Students must be enrolled in an agricultural program in school, learn basic information about FFA, and have plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience project.
The local chapter awarded the Greenhand FFA Degree to 33 students:
Colton Averett, Nicole Battles, Cody Bolon, Cheyenne Courter, Ben Dachs, Jessy Eads, Kaitlin Eaton, Trey Fortner, Cody Gibson, Jackson Hubbard, Chance Jarrell, Luke Lewis, Dalton Manuel, Erica McCoy, Aaron Parris, Maura Peters, Dalton Rickel, Aaron Sandlin, Kylie Scott, Kara Simmons, Cory Stacy, Rian Stevenson, Timmy Swinney, Shawn Compson, Bailee Cooper, Sarah Jones, Venus Laing, Erica Morgan, Ronnie Martin, Jennifer Aslin, Alex Crider, Shanna Gant, and Jessica Snider.
The Chapter FFA Degree is given to top members. Candidates for Chapter FFA Dexter must have an approved Supervised Agricultural Experience in operation, be enrolled in an ag course in high school, must participate in and help plan chapter activities, earned and invted at least $150 or have worked 45 hours outside of class on the SAE, effectively lead a group discussion for 15 minutes,, demonstrate five parliamentary law procedures, show program in achievement in the FFA programs, have a satisfactory academic record and complete a minimum of 10 hours in community service.
The chapter awarded the Chapter FFA Degree to 20 members:
Will Baker, Dustin Bates, Drew Crider, Shelbey Edwards, Hunter Frampton, Savannah Hicks, Tyler Laws, Brianna Madigan, Chelsey Massey, Nick McCollough, Brandon Mitchell, Angela Reed, Christin Sitzes, Derek Felker, Samantha Hadley, JR Putnam, Morgan Lovins, Jamie Manuel, and Tasha Rodgers,
Future Farmers of America was founded by a group of young farmers in 1928. The local FFA chapter was founded in 1928 at DHS and is one of the charter chapters in Missouri.
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