21-22 FFA OFFICER TEAM … Pictured from Back Row: L-R: Daniel Hite, Garrett Leininger, Braxton Goings, Aiden Goings and Aidan Pena. Front Row: L-R: Amber Rufeancht and Aliina Lange.
The 91st Annual Wauseon FFA Banquet was held on March 30, 2021 with over 110 FFA members, school administration, parents, and guests in attendance.
The 2020-2021 FFA Officer Team took the stage to acknowledge supporting past-year members receiving the honorary chapter membership.
Those recognized for their support and receiving this membership were: Mrs. Laura Leininger, members of the WEVS Fiscal Staff, Mr. Matt Funk, Ms. Alex Pursel, and Bill and Cindy Orzechowski.
Each one of these supporters have provided helpful knowledge and wisdom to all FFA members while also engaging in helping the Wauseon FFA chapter develop successfully.
Four-Year members received their awards next. This award is a graduation cord that is given to the receivers on their graduation day to wear on their neck, recognizing them for four-years of time, commitment, and support to the FFA Organization.
Those seniors recognized this year were: Ian Arps, Jackson Bauer, Hayley Orzechowski, Luke Wheeler, Evan Banister, Ethan Kessler, Aidan Teal, Issac Wilson, Jaden Banister, Audrey Leininger, Nolan Thourot, and Hunter Knapp.
During the recognition portion of the ceremony, the FFA Officer Team took the time to acknowledge the Top 5 student sellers of the traditional fruit sale.
These students receive a 10% commission back from their total sales. Those students that received this award were: Zeph Siefker, Cedric Taylor, Esela Ramirez, Luke Wheeler, and Amber Rufenacht.
Also, students earned Academic Awards for excelling in the agricultural education classroom. The recipients received a pin for their FFA jacket, and they earned a certificate.
These students were: Braxton Goings, Jayli Vazquez, Hunter Nofziger, Bri Hays, Gavin Gerig, Levi Tester, Kassidy Zientek, Zeph Siefker, Hayley Orzechowski, Victoria Rios, Kylerr Bronson, Alexandria Schultz, Aizlynn Coronado, Addison Tester, Audrey Strader, Jane Richer, and Jackson Bauer.
The Wauseon FFA Chapter also took time to recognise those students with outstanding SAE projects. These Supervised Agricultural Experiences were in the form of Entrepreneurship Awards, Placement Awards, and Home and Community Improvement.
The students that received the Entrepreneurship Awards were: Madison Strauss, Amber Rufenaht, and Madison Rufenacht. Those receiving the Placement Award: Jaden Banister, Nolan Thourot, and finally, Audrey Leininger. The Home and Community Improvement Award was given to Jayli Vasquez.
Multiple CDE’s, Career Development Events, were held this past year. Ranging from Dairy Handling, Wildlife, Public Speaking, and Parliamentary Procedure, the members were challenged in their competitions.
Some were held virtually this year due to the circumstances. Medallions were given to the participants in the highest level of these competitions.
The Chapter also presented degrees to the student.
A gold key from the National FFA Organization and a hardwood walnut clock plaque in the shape of the United States were given to the recipients of the American Degree.
These people were: McKayla Clymer, Trent Sauber, and Trey Schroeder. State Degree winners included: Jackson Bauer, Amber Rufenacht, Trent Sauber, Trey Schroeder, Audrey Leininger, Ian Arps, Isaac Wilson, and Jaden Banister.
Due to the lack of banquet last year, state degrees awards were also presented to those who were unable to receive them last year.
They received a walnut plaque and a gold pin for their FFA jackets. $25 checks were given to all winners as well. Those who received a Chapter Degree included: Lyric Gleckler, Katelyn Hays, Tyler Funk, Ben Gype, Madison Rufenacht, Aidan Teal, Nolan Thourot, Mitchell Neuenschwander, Aidan Pena, Lyndsey Pence and Zeph Siefker.
Star Awards were presented to outstanding students within the Wauseon FFA Chapter. This year’s Star Greenhand Awards were presented to Adison Reckner, Kassidy Zientek and Bri Hays.
Those receiving The Star Chapter Farmer Award were: Katelyn Hays, Lyndsey Pence and Zeph Siefker.
The Outstanding Junior Award went to Amber Rufenacht, Braxton Goings and Jane Richer. The Outstanding Senior Awards were presented to Logan Richer, Jack Bauer and Ian Arps. And this year’s 110% Award was received by Jackson Bauer!
Unfortunately, the middle schoolers were unable to attend the Wauseon FFA Banquet this year due to the virus.
However, Mr. Thomas recognized the following outstanding middle school students: Kohen Nofziger, Camryn Rash, Marin Leatherman, Braelynn Rupp , and Esela Ramirez.
The Outstanding Middle School Award winners received an engraved plaque to recognise their excellence in Mr. Thomas’ class.
Continuing this year’s banquet, Alex Pursel presented an Alumni Report. She presented Audrey Leininger with The Women in Ag Scholarship for being an active member of the chapter and has made plans to attend college.
The winner of The American Farmer Scholarship was given to Isaac Wilson for excelling in the classroom and presenting an outstanding SAE project.
This Award is sponsored by all past American FFA Degree recipients who contributed to the cause. The winners of the Wauseon FFA Chapter Scholarship are Isaac Wilson, Audrey Leininger and Hayley Orzechowski.
Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Black presenting recognition and advisor remarks toward the retiring officer team.
They recognised Hayley Orzechowski, Jackson Bauer, Amber Rufenacht, Braxton Goings, Audrey Leininger, Luke Wheeler, and Isaac Wilson for their hard work and dedication to the Wauseon FFA Chapter over the past year.
Finally, the banquet concluded with the installation of new officers for the following year.
The 2021-2022 Officer Team consists of Amber Rufenacht- President, Braxton- Vice President, Garrett Leininger- Secretary, Aiden Goings, Aliina Lange- Reporter, Aidan Peña- Sentinel, and Daniel Hite- Student Advisor.
President Amber Rufenacht challenged her team to have all Gold-Ranked officer books for the following year. The banquet was then adjourned, ending the 91st Annual Wauseon FFA Banquet.