Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri – Near the end of the school year, FFA students and parents were invited to attend a well-organized awards banquet.  Students were recognized for their achievements and some even received scholarships. 

The Dexter High School Future Farmers of America students were well represented at area and district competitions this year as well.  The area Future Farmers of America competition was held at Twin Rivers High School back in March.  The FFA competitors had to qualify there to advance to district competition.  District Future Farmers of America/Agriculture competition was held on April 4, 2013, and April 6, 2013, in Cape Girardeau.

Madison Bishop, Hannah Craft, and Garrett Kyle placed fourth at area and seventh at district and qualified as alternates for state.  Autumn Lesley placed first in the Reporter’s Scrapbook Category.  Hannah Craft also placed first in the Beginning Production Record Book Category.  Madison Bishop placed first in the Beginning Production Record Book Category.    Chelsey Massey placed third in the Completed Production Record Book Category and Derek Felker placed fourth in the Completed Placement Record Book Category.  Trevor Link placed fourth in the Creed Speaking Category.

In the District Agriculture contests Emily Peers, Paula Hagy, Chelsey Massey and Erika McCoy placed eighth in Poultry Judging and qualified for state.  Shelby Edwards, Brianna Madigan, Melanie McKuin, and Taylor Page placed ninth in Floriculture Identification.  Seth Mouser, Derek Felker, Garrett Kyle, and Trevor Link placed tenth in Livestock Judging.  Kristen Copeland, Karlee Wright, and Seth Mouser placed ninth in Dairy Cattle Judging.  Will baker placed first in the Proficiency Awards competition in Diversified Crop Production.  Derek Felker placed third in Natural Resources Management. 

Three members were selected for the FFA Choir.  They practiced many hours and performed during two convention sessions.  These members were Jackson Hubbard, Matney Davis, and Chelsea Cox.

Four members worked on the State Courtesy Corps.  They were Erika McCoy, Emily Peters, Chelsey Massey, and Paula Hagy.  Three members also worked in the State Convention Media Room.  They were Hannah Craft, Madison Bishop, and Garrett Kyle.

Matney Davis also performed talent at the convention.  Hannah Craft and Madison Bishop received state award medals for their Record Books.  One member, Autumn Lesley, received a state award for the Chapter Scrapbook.  Erika McCoy, Chelsey Massey, Paula Hagy, and Emily Peters competed on the State Poultry Judging team. 

Will Baker received the State Proficiency Award for Diversified Crop Production.  One member also received the highest degree given at state- the State FFA Degree.  This was Chelsey Massey.  Congratulations Chelsey!

There have been a lot of people that have helped the FFA this year.  Many people have brought them fruit or participated in the raffle.  Some businesses even donated money, a hog for the pig raffle, and chicken for the FFA BBQs, and banquet items such as fertilizer or seed.  Some have even donated their time to conduct officer interviews or help with the BBQs.  The following businesses contributed: Gene and Pam Rowland of Stoddard County Seed, Tom Jarrell of the Mule Barn, Tyson Inc., Bryan Bates of Helena, Matt Blevins, Joe Pulliam, and Leonard Madigan. The FFA appreciates all that the community and area businesses have done to help our chapter. 

The Star Geenhand Award was given to the ninth grade FFA member who has participated in the most FFA activities.  This years recipient has participated in the chapter fundraiser, has attended the Greenhand Motivational Conference, served as an area and state delegate, has won a state award for record book, has worked in the state media room, has won the FFA Knowledge Spelldown at parents night, competed at area and district on the FFA Knowledge Contest, and was installed as chapter vice-president.  If you are thinking that is a lot of activities for one Greenhand, you are right.  The FFA could not pick just one this year because two kids were so close in activities.  They chose Madison Bishop and Garrett Kyle.  Congratulations Madison and Garrett!

The outstanding sophomore award was given to the tenth grade FFA member who has excelled at the most FFA activities.  This year’s recipient has served as a chapter officer, has attended the LEAD Leadership Conference, the area Leadership Conference, and the Greenhand Motivational Conference, and was the top chapter fruit salesman.  This person has also attended the State FFA Convention and has performed with the State FFA Choir.  The outstanding sophomore was Jackson Hubbard.  Congratulations Jackson! 

The outstanding junior award was given to the eleventh grade FFA member who has excelled at the most FFA activities.  This year’s recipient has worked on the chapter’s farm, has sold fruit, and has competed at district and state on a contest team.  This person has also attended the state FFA convention and worked on the State Courtesy Corps.  This person received the highest degree the state can give which was the State FFA Degree.  This person was Chapter President in 2012-2013 and will be President again next year.  The outstanding junior was Chelsey Massey.  Congratulations Chelsey!

The outstanding senior award was given to the twelfth grade FFA member who has participated and excelled in the most activities during their years in FFA.  This year’s winner has been an FFA member the past three years and has earned their way to state twice.  This person has attended the National FFA convention and worked on the Courtesy Corps at the state FFA Convention and National FFA Convention.  This person was this year’s FFA secretary.  The outstanding senior was Derek Felker.  Congratulations Derek! 

Encouraging scholarships is one of the main things the FFA does.  The scholarship award is given to the two FFA members in each class who have the highest grade point average in all of their classes.  The ninth graders awarded a scholarship were Matney Davis and Madison Bishop.  The tenth graders awarded a scholarship were Jackson Hubbard and Dalton Manuel.  The eleventh graders awarded a scholarship were Hunter Frampton and Will Baker.  The twelfth graders awarded a scholarship were J.T. Putnam and Derek Felker.

Developing leadership is the main result of being actively involved in FFA.  They presented the Leadership Award to the eight members in the FFA who have developed their leadership potential the most through participating in FFA activities this year.  These eight members who were awarded with the Leadership Award were Hannah Craft, Trevor Link, Erika McCoy, Paula Hagy, Emily Peters, Shelby Edwards, Brianna Madigan, and Autumn Lesley. 

Many students were honored for their commitment to the Future Farmers of America.  This is the last year for Mr. Ron Shipman to teach and be mentor to such wonderful students.  His has retired for Dexter Senior High School and the student honored him with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and candy. Mr. Shipman will be missed, but we wish him much success in his future endeavors!