The Riverton Parke FFA Chapter held its Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, April 12th. Members and guests enjoyed a dinner catered by Mahogany and Brass, words from a keynote speaker, and recognition of FFA member’s accomplishments for the 2023-2024 school year. The keynote speaker for the evening was the current Indiana FFA State President, Kelby Roberts. She provided words of encouragement to the current FFA members and shared how FFA and other school activities have helped get her to where she is today. After her keynote address, recognition was given to FFA members for various accomplishments over the past school year. The ‘Top Fruit Salesmen’ of 2023 were recognized for their selling efforts this past fall. In total, Riverton Parke was able to donate $1,000 to the Indiana FFA Foundation from fruit sales. The top fruit salesman was Cash Anstett followed by Katie Waldridge, Emma and Kinsleigh Ugoletti, Patricia Norman, and Sophie Sanders. FFA degrees were awarded. Those receiving their Discovery Degrees included Carson Harkrider, Kinsleigh Ugoletti, Kaylynn Comar, Logan Mager, and Mitchell Stepp. Those receiving their Greenhand Degrees included Cathleen McKee, Jase Martin, Jaydon Shaffer, Mary-Claire Featherling, Thomas Koch, Patricia Norman, Tulie Boyle, Maggie Virostko, Jenna Virostko, Mya Kenley, Dawn Koester, Joel Harrah, Colton Trapman, Connor Amerman, Jayda Buza, Marri Chavira, Matthew Griffin, Mary Pruitt, Jake Roderick, Kolton Lanzone, and Maria Resendiz. Those receiving their Chapter Degrees included Emily Adams, Sophie Sanders, Emma Ugoletti, Kenzie Mundell, Alexis Fisher, Annie Campbell, and Colton Suggs. Jack Harrah and Katilynn Koch were also recognized as FFA members who will receive their Hoosier Degrees this June at the Indiana FFA State Convention. Adam Bennett and Shane Feuquay received the Honorary Chapter Degree for rendering outstanding service to the FFA chapter as they have been instrumental in making the Welding Team a success. Katilynn Koch was recognized for submitting her Beef Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency to the state level competition and earning a silver ranking. FFA members were recognized for participating in various Career Development Events (CDEs) and Leadership Development Events (LDEs) this school year. Those contests included Livestock Skillathon, Soil Judging, Crop Judging, Forestry, Welding, Chapter Meeting, and District Leadership Contest. The Livestock Skillathon Team, consisting of Sarah Brown, Jack Harrah, Emily Adams, and Sophie Sanders, were presented with special jackets for winning the state contest last fall. The 2023-2024 retiring officer team presented members with special officer awards. Colton Suggs was the recipient of the ‘Rising Sun Award.’ Mya Kenley was presented with the ‘Workhorse Award.’ This year’s ‘Unity Award’ winner was Joel Harrah. Cash Anstett received the ‘Red, White, and Blue Award.’ Carson Sutton was selected as the ‘Washington Award’ recipient. The ‘Shield of Friendship Award’ was presented to Emily Adams. Katilynn Koch was the selected individual for the ‘Owl Award.’ High point FFA members were recognized. Members gain points for the various activities and events they participate in throughout the year which are then calculated to determine the “Top 5” for both junior high and high school members. For the junior high, the high point member was Logan Mager followed by Cash Anstett, Kason Johnson, and Kaylynn Comar and Carson Harkrider tied for 4th. For the high school, Jack Harrah was the overall high point member followed by Sophie Sanders, Joel Harrah, Sarah Brown, and Kenzie Mundell. FFA members graduating from the class of 2024 were recognized for their achievements throughout their time in FFA. Those students included Sarah Brown, Collin Watson, Wyatt Koch, Jack Harrah, Mason Haltom, Sebastin Mankin, Taylor Parker, Daniel Valdes, Kaleb Lanzone, Gabe Lewis, and Maria Resendiz. The advisors, Michaela Woods and Micah Humphreys, presented special advisor awards. The first being the “Outstanding Member of the Year” award. This year’s recipient was Sophie Sanders. One FFA member was selected for the ‘Rising Star Award.’ Mya Kenley was bestowed with this honor for the 2023-2024 school year. Academic Scholarship awards were given to the following individuals: 7th grade- Kaylynn Comar, 8th grade- Katie Waldridge, 9th grade- Marri Chavira, 10th grade- Markel Garcia Martinez, Sophie Sanders, Emily Adams, Rhylie Cannon, and Annie Campbell, 11th grade- Hadley Newman, and 12th grade- Collin Watson.
Pictured at the conclusion of the Annual Awards Banquet includes, in front from left: Cash Anstett, Logan Mager, Indiana FFA State President, Kelby Roberts, Maggie Virostko, Kenzie Mundell, Sarah Brown, Mya Kenley, Sophie Sanders, Emma Ugoletti, Dawn Koester, and Tulie Boyle. Second row: Colton Suggs, Katilynn Koch, Taylor Parker, Mary-Claire Featherling, Jaydon Shaffer, Jenna Virostko, Emily Adams, and Daniel Vales. Back row: Wyatt Koch, Cathleen McKee, Izzy Suggs, Marri Chavira, Jayda Buza, Collin Watson, Joel Harrah, Jase Martin, Kaylynn Comar, and Jack Harrah.