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Chinook FFA holds Awards Banquet, elects officers

Thursday, May 12th the Chinook FFA Chapter hosted their annual FFA Banquet to highlight awards and handout degrees based on the member’s involvement and achievements throughout the year. With Doug Mitchell cooking pulled pork and four tables full of exquisite dishes brought by the members, the night was one to remember.

Earning their discovery degree were: Jasmine Klingeman, Austin Swanson, Natalia Pomeroy, Jade Cecrle, Kurtis Hamilton, Erik Pula, Wylee Brown, Sally Halingstad.

Earning the Greenhand FFA degree were: Ryle Elliot, Larissa Getten, Sierra Swank, Ross Reid, Hailey McMaster, Colton Liddle, Rachel Gunderson.

Earning the Chapter FFA degree was: Garrett Lowham.

Earning their State Degrees were: Cody Allen, Tyler Ortner, Aubri McCann, Wade Schneider Garrison Mitchell.

Finally, receiving the American Degree, the highest honor an FFA member can receive from the National FFA Association, was Tavin Schneider.

Furthermore, Garrison Mitchell was recognized for selling the most chocolate this year, Jade Cecrle for selling the most jerky, and Paxtin McCann for selling the most fruit. Towards the middle of the ceremony, the Junior Mechanics team was rewarded for being first place in the Judith Basin District. Cord Schneider, a member of this successful team stated, “It’s fun to be part of our successful mechanics team because whenever we win we get awards such as helmets, gloves, and tools.” Finally, to close off the ceremony the new officer team was initiated. This team includes Wade Schneider (President), Rachel Gunderson (Secretary), Cristen Friede (Treasurer), Sierra Swank (Reporter), Alyssa Gruszie (Sentinel) and Paxtin McCann (Parliamentarian). When asking Wade how it felt to be the new chapter president he said, “I am honored. I hope my leadership skills will set a good example for the fellow chapter members.”

The week prior to the banquet, Robin Allen invited the sixth graders from the Meadowlark to come to the high school shop and help build raised flower beds. These project will be placed around the buildings at the Blaine County Fair this summer. “”I think it’s important for us to work with the younger students. This is a great project for the sixth graders to participate in, and it also helps the students become more comfortable moving to the junior high next year,” Allen said. Kendell Harwood happily obliged, and the elementary students had a blast constructing tables and getting to know the high school-ers. The shop project gave a great start to the week, while the banquet sent it out with a bang . The banquet left the people who attended satisfied- not only with the their newly-earned awards and/or degrees, but also in their tummies.