2021-2022 OFFICERS … (Left to Right) Bryce Buehrer, Julia Schuurman, Hunter Leupp, Jozlyn Jones, Alora Siegel, Joscelyn Layman, Ingrid Hoffman, Leanna Baker, Ian Hoffman.
By: Joscelyn Layman, MILLCREEK-WEST UNITY FFA REPORTER
On April 17th 2021, the Millcreek West Unity FFA held their annual 85th Annual FFA Banquet at 6 PM in the Commons at Hilltop High School. Members and parents were treated to a dessert buffet of Doughbox donuts, Cookies on Demand cookies, a chocolate fountain with fruit and snacks, trail mix, and cake cups from Anna’s Sweet Treats.
After the dessert reception, the banquet ceremony began with speakers, Kodi Brenner and Ian Hoffman. The Greenhand ceremony then began with 13 Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource students receiving their Greenhand FFA Degree. From these new Greenhands, Brooke Moreland was selected as the Star Greenhand.
The awards ceremony continued with six members in Animal and Plant Science being awarded their Chapter FFA Degrees. The Star Chapter Awards were as follows: Star Chapter in Production was Hunter Leupp, Star Chapter in Agribusiness was Leanna Baker, Star Chapter in Placement was Joe Reamsnyder and Star Chapter in Agrisceince was Joscelyn Layman.
There were seven members from the chapter who will receive their State FFA Degree and these members were recognized at the banquet: Leanna Baker, Bryce Buehrer, Ian Hoffman, Alex Horton, Joe Reamsnyder, Laurynn Wieland, and Matthew Wyse.
Members were also recognized for their participation in Career Development Events (CDEs) throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
These CDEs included: Advanced Parliamentary Procedure, Agriscience Fair, Agronomy, Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Equine, Floriculture, Greenhand Quiz, General Livestock Evaluation, Job Interview, Outdoor Power Equipment, Public Speaking, Rural Soil Judging, and Wildlife Management. From these CDEs, several members were given special awards based on their placing in the District and State.
The Agronomy team placed 3rd in District 1, Ian Hoffman placed 1st in Division 5 Social Systems in 2021 State Agriscience Fair, Hunter Leupp placed 2nd in Division 5 Food Systems in 2021 State Agriscience Fair, Brooke Moreland placed 1st in Division 1 2021 State Agriscience Fair, Joe Reamsnyder placed 2nd in Division 5 2021 State Agriscience Fair, Joscelyn Layman placed 1st in Division 1 Plant Systems 2020 National Agriscience Fair, Alora Siegel placed 2nd in Division 1 Power Systems 2020 National Agriscience Fair, the Dairy Evaluation team placed 1st with Leanna Baker placing 3rd individually in District 1, Ian Hoffman placed 2nd in Extemporaneous Public Speaking in District 1, and the Middle School Wildlife Management team placed 1st with Brian Guillen placing 2nd and Cameron Schlosser placing 3rd individually in District 1.
Kodi Brenner was recognized for her Gold Rated Treasurer’s Book and Bryce Buehrer was recognized for his Gold Rated Reporter’s Book. The top three individuals in the 2020 Millcreek-West Unity Fruit Sales program were given a trophy for their hard work and dedication to the program. These three were Laurynn Wieland, Alex Richmond, and Joscelyn Layman.
Twenty-five members were also recognized for having all A’s in Ag for the first 3 Quarters of the 2020-2021 school year, and twenty-one members were recognized for earning $300 or more in “FFA Bucks” (an incentive program for chapter members who participate in FFA activities). Kodi Brenner, Joe Reamsnyder, Laurynn Wieland, and Chase Whitman, the four seniors in the program, were given special recognition for their time in the FFA program. Kodi and Joe were also acknowledged as retiring officers.
The installation of the 2021-2022 officer team began after Senior/Retiring Officer Recognition: President Bryce Buehrer, Vice President Julia Schuurman, Secretary Hunter Leupp, Treasurer Alora Siegel, Reporter Joscelyn Layman, Sentinel Ian Hoffman, Student Advisor Leanna Baker, Parliamentarian Ingrid Hoffman and Student Council Representative Jozlyn Jones, and the banquet closed with Bryce Buehrer performing closing ceremonies.
Throughout the year, various companies, organizations, and individuals have supported the members and their growth, and the chapter would like to sincerely thank them for this support!
The Millcreek-West Unity FFA chapter was supported by the following: B&G Outdoor Power Equipment, Ltd, Edon Farmers Co-op, Farm Credit of Mid-America, Gerald Grain Center Feeds, LLC, Tom and Jean Gerig, Handyman Hardware, Kunkle Fire Department, Ohio Ag Equipment – Justin Thompson, Pettisville Grain Company, Reamsnyder Farms, Rimm-Kleen Systems, Rupp Seeds Inc., Schaffner Farms, Bob Short, Superior Farm Supply, Inc., Unity Antique Power Club, Wieland Family Farms, Winzler & Bok, Inc., Wyse Farms, and Beau Zuver.