It was a nostalgic evening filled with joyous reflection and fond sentiments as four hundred plus chapter and alumni members; parents and guests marked 75 years of Edon FFA Chapter history during the organization’s annual Parent and Member Banquet held Tuesday, March 18, 2014.
From the beginning, the celebration fusing current Chapter activities and accomplishments with the past moved forward in its traditional style. With everyone settled in after sharing a delicious ham, baked steak and lamb buffet dinner, Auditeria lights softened as Mark Blue’s Musical Introduction of Officers and Advisor became the focus of everyone’s attention. Carefully selected ~ and quite creative ~ songs offered a unique peak into each person’s personality as he or she made way to the head table proudly sporting the prized FFA “Blue Jacket”. Upon reporting to the assembly the respective duties and significance of his or her assigned station, President Wyatt Zulch concluded the Opening Ceremonies by declaring the annual meeting officially open.
With assistance from Sentinel Garrett Trausch, Parliamentarian Corisa Brown had the honor of presenting the night’s first awards to FFA CDE (Career Development Events) participants. Receiving certificates for their accomplishments in team or individual competitions included:
FFA Contest Participants
\n\n\n2013-2014
Presented by Parliamentarian Corisa Brown
Grain Merchandising
1st Place District 1 Competition
2ndPlaceState Competition
\n\n\nAlex Baker
Ben Brown
Matt Cook
Kyle Gearhart
David Headley
\n\n\nDylon Houser
Dakota Parrish
Tyler Seaman
Wyatt Zulch
Farm Business Management
\n\n\n2nd Place District 1 Competition
5thPlaceState Competition
Alex Baker
Reid Bowling
Ben Brown
\n\n\nMatt Cook
Kyle Gearhart
Spenser Goebel
David Headley
Dakota Parrish
\n\n\nGarrett Trausch
Wyatt Zulch
Dairy Judging
Alex Baker
Connor Hug
\n\n\nNic Livengood
Carley Muehlfeld
Phillip Richmond
Graeden Rupp
Tyler Seaman
\n\n\nBrock Thiel
River Wicker
Wyatt Zulch
Rural Soils
Alex Baker
\n\n\nHeath Brown
Kaylie Brown
Trevor Green
Connor Hug
Garrett Trausch
\n\n\nRiver Wicker
Wyatt Zulch
Urban Soils
Michael Hayes
Kalvin Mohre
\n\n\nKaden Sapp
Brock Thiel
Agronomy
Joey Fox
Kyle Long
\n\n\nKenny Ordway
Tyler Seaman
Cassi Trausch
Parliamentary Procedure
Senior Class
\n\n\n1st PlaceCountyCompetition
4th Place District 1 Competition
Alex Baker
Kyle Long
Phillip Richmond
\n\n\nTyler Seaman
Cassi Trausch
Garrett Trausch
Karlee Trausch
Jordan Winebernner
\n\n\nWyatt Zulch
Parliamentary Procedure
Novice Class
1st PlaceCountyCompetition
4th Place District 1 Competition
\n\n\nBrayden Bauer
Jared Best
Levi Brandt
Evan Fisk
Preston Klingler
\n\n\nBraden Miller
Sierra Orner
Paige Schaffter
McKenna Trausch
Jordan Winebernner
\n\n\nTractor Trouble Shooting
Connor Hug
Wyatt Zulch
Along with Kyle Long’s 2013-2014 FFA Activities Video and an energetic, contemporary western dance routine by freshmen Paige Schaffter and Samantha Trausch; Chapter members were presented additional awards throughout the banquet as well:
Officer Awards
\n\n\nPresented by Vice President Alex Baker
Reporter Scrapbook
Karlee Trausch
Secretary
Cassi Trausch
\n\n\nTreasurer
Tyler Seaman
Public Speaking Awards
Presented by Vice President Alex Baker
Beginning Creed
\n\n\nJared Best
Jordan Winebernner
Job Interview
Evan Fisk
Kaitlyn Sonneberger
\n\n\nPhillip Richmond
McKenna Trausch
Cassi Trausch
Individual Proficiency Awards
Presented by Historian Kyle Long
\n\n\nAg Sales
Hayden Runyan
Beef Production
Alex Baker
Carley Muehlfeld
\n\n\nAg Mechanics
Alex Baker
Connor Hug
Wyatt Zulch
Ag Services/Placement
\n\n\nGarrett Trausch
Grain Production
Garrett Trausch
Wyatt Zulch
Home Improvement
\n\n\nKyle Long
Oil Crop
Joey Fox
Poultry
Garrett Trausch
\n\n\nSpecialty Animal
Autumn Joice
Swine Production
Colten Lyman
Top 2012 Sausage Salespersons
\n\n\nTaya Mason (430#)
Hayden Runyan (405#)
Alex Baker (209#)
Caleb Mason (192#)
Trevor Green (184#)
\n\n\nPhillip Richmond (169#)
Morgan Hiller (109#)
Kenny Ordway (100#)
Total Sausage Sales ~ 3423 pounds
5th Annual Ag Olympics
\n\n\nEgg FFA Roulette
Corisa Brown
2014 Special Awards
Presented by
Advisor Paul Stoll
\n\n\nScholarship
Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or Better
Senior Class
Haley Jacoby
River Wicker
\n\n\nJunior Class
Phillip Richmond
Autumn Joice
Karlee Trausch
Kyle Long
\n\n\nKaden Sapp
Garrett Trausch
Sophomore Class
Kaitlyn Sonneberger
Landon Bloir
\n\n\nBreanna Davis
Colten Lyman
Hayden Runyan
Tyler Seaman
Freshman Class
\n\n\nKarissa Sonneberger
Paige Schaffter
Samantha Trausch
Eliza Zulch
Jared Best
\n\n\nJordan Winebernner
Service Award
Phillip Richmond
Kyle Long
Leadership Award
\n\n\nWyatt Zulch
DeKalb Award Winners
Alex Baker
Cassi Trausch
Wyatt Zulch
\n\n\n2014 State FFA Degree Candidates
Cassi Trausch
Garrett Trausch
Wyatt Zulch
2014 American FFA Degree Candidates
\n\n\nBen Brown
Clay Parrish
Dakota Parrish
Star FFA Chapter Members
Kyle Long
\n\n\nPhillip Richmond
Tyler Seaman
Garrett Trausch
Star Greenhand
McKenna Trausch
\n\n\nJordan Winebernner
Retiring Officer Awards
President
Wyatt Zulch
Vice President
\n\n\nAlex Baker
Secretary
Cassi Trausch
Parliamentarian
Corisa Brown
\n\n\n2014 Honorary FFA Members
Recognized by all Officers
Rick and Cindy Seaman
Dennis Fox
Shad Zulch
\n\n\n2014 Chapter Donors
Recognized by all Officers
Terry and Trina Hake
Jon and Vicki Hake
John and Jo Armbruster
\n\n\nDennis Fox
Tyler Hake ~ Pioneer Seeds
Rick & Cindy Seaman
As the evening’s trip down memory lane ~ Phillip “PJ” Richmond’s enjoyable PowerPoint capsulation of the Chapter’s seventy-five year history ~ brought back many wonderful memories, Advisor Paul Stoll took to the podium to share a few parting thoughts.
“I’m back!” he wittily announced to the delight of everyone in attendance. It was just last year the well-respected and admired Stoll was feted during a poignant farewell celebration only to be brought out of retirement for one more “final year” at EdonHigh School.
\n\n\n“Have you looked at our theme on the front of the program?” the longtime mentor noted. “It’s Ignite. Now one thing [you should know]; as a teacher, you don’t always get that ‘ignition’ [right away]. It may be freshman year, it may be sophomore year ~ it may not even be while they’re in high school; it takes awhile on some things.”
“But the other part is, at some point ~ and that’s what fun about being here forever,” Paul lightheartedly remarked, “is seeing former students being successful in life; seeing their growth. For a teacher, that’s the [best] part we’re rewarded with: the success of our students. And that’s the theme tonight ~ what we work hard at ~ to ignite that leadership; growth; success [in our students].”
Paul then went on to give explanation on what he had adopted as his own theme. “My theme for this year is ‘Second Chances’,” he emotionally began. “It started with the opportunity to teach fulltime [again]. I did not think I would be here tonight in the capacity I am; I didn’t think that at all a year ago. It’s been a blessing for me to do this.”
“This second part is hard,” Paul shared as he continued on a more personal note. “You don’t always get second chances with your parents…and I did.” Through tears he proudly stated: “I’m glad my mom and dad are here tonight!” Crediting the many volunteers and students who stepped up and helped during a time it was appreciated most, he made it through. “I was struggling; [my students] probably didn’t even know it, but I did get that second chance [with my parents]; everything worked out for a purpose.”
Before closing out his thirty-five year stint as Advisor, Paul got a second chance to proudly don his 1975 FFA Blue Jacket as he said he would. “I guess my philosophy has been…” he started as his voice quieted. “I’m not the smartest person in the world, and I don’t pretend to be, but my philosophy has always been I’m going to ‘outwork’ the other person. That’s what I’ve tried to instill in my kids. You’re not always going to be [the smart one], but you can outwork people. So tonight, I thank you for the opportunity to teach here at EdonHigh School. Thank you Mr. Ewers for bringing me back; it’s been great. I’ve appreciated all the support and thank you for attending.”
\n\n\nMidst tears, thunderous applause and a richly-deserved standing ovation, Paul unassumingly exited the podium once last time as Edon FFA Chapter Advisor, returning to his station to witness the outpouring of heartfelt respect, appreciation and affection from a grateful community.
Paul had had his opportunities for second chances; his students and friends now had theirs.
With all business addressed, awards received and 75th Anniversary Commemorative Mason Jar mugs distributed, the Annual Edon FFA Banquet was adjourned for another year.