NEW PARIS — National Trail Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) FFA Chapter held its annual banquet on Saturday, April 13.
Treasurer Abbey Rodefer opened the event by welcoming all in attendance. She pointed out the silent auction, office table, and senior member display. She explained, the Chapter started a new tradition where attendees were encouraged to take home the blue cups at their table.
Mark Armstrong gave the invocation. Macel Stowers introduced special guests. Rachael Kimball thanked all who contributed to the dinner, including: FFA members, Dorothy Frist, Monroe Better Livestock 4-H Club, Centerville Barbecue and Pizza, and FFA families. She also extended the Chapter’s gratitude to all who contributed to the evening’s program.
The following donors were recognized: Robert Fischer, Jeff and Jackie Barnes, Paul and Marsha Farno, Brian and Amy Weaver, Rob and Jennifer Wesler, Kerry Unger, Beck’s Hybrids (Bill and Carol Murphy, Kevin Studebaker), Brodbeck Seeds (Brandon Monebrake), Buckeye Farmers (Kip and Sarah Denlinger, Brent Eyler), Channel Seed (Donald Hays), Golden Harvest (Rodefer Farms), Harvestland Eldorado, Pioneer (Brad Ott and Chad Kemp), Stine Seed (Lane Osswald), Drone Usage (Richard Pruitt).
Honorary Degree Recipients recognized included Kandi Stowers, Chad Ward, and Mindy Ward.
The Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through their SAEs, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers.
Stowers explained, “We have spent several class periods focusing on students’ SAE projects this year. We use the AET an online record book system for students to document what they do within their SAEs. If a student logs 500 hours throughout their FFA career with an approved SAE they have the opportunity to earn an industry credential to assist with their future success after high school.
“Students can compete for awards in 49 areas covering everything from Agricultural Communications to Wildlife Management. Each award area has two categories, placement and entrepreneurship. Placement proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to employment, apprenticeships, or internships at an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization.
“Entrepreneurship proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to ownership of an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization. We currently have several students who have placed in the top four in the state of Ohio. They will interview on May 2 with a panel of judges and find out their final placings at Ohio FFA State Convention.”
Rachael Kimball completed an application for Poultry Production-Entrepreneurship. She earned a Silver rating. Her application highlighted the 100 boilers she raises each year to show at the Preble County Fair and she sells processed birds to local customers. Kimball’s award is sponsored by Curtis and Jean Osswald.
Haley Koehl competed in the Equine Science Placement award area. She is employed at Horses by Sheila where she assists with cleaning stalls and training horses. She has received a gold rating and has placed top four in the state of Ohio. Koehl’s award is sponsored by Tracy and Laura Kitchel.
Hunter Miller qualified for the Diversified Horticulture Placement category with his SAE as the National Trail greenhouse manager and mowing his families lawn. He has earned and a gold rating and placed top four in state. Miller’s award is sponsored by Curtis and Jean Osswald.
Kacy Osswald is a state finalist and earned a gold rating in the Grain Production Entrepreneurship category. She rents farmland and grows corn and soybeans. Osswald’s award is sponsored by Kenna Fegan.
Alyssa Zdobinski completed an application in the small animal care entrepreneurship category. She raises New Zealand Dwarf rabbits that she exhibits and also sells to other junior fair exhibitors. Zdobinski earned a bronze rating. Her award is sponsored by Jeff and Pat Ott.
Abbey Rodefer completed two proficiency applications including Ag Sales Placement & Grain Production Placement. She assists with her families seed treating business and daily operations on the grain farm. Rodefer has earned a gold rating with both of her applications and placed top four in the state. The Ag Sales Award is sponsored by Unger Fabrication and the Grain Production award is sponsored by Ron Wesler.
The Urban Soil Judging team was recognized for participating at the Preble County contest: Seth Allen, Mark Armstrong, Tanner Davis, Benjamin Gabbard, Mika Hall,Lane Johnson,and Emma Slade.
The Rural Soil Judging team was recognized for participating at the Preble County contest: Emmalie Besecker, Rachael Kimball, Madison Myers, Mykenzie Smith, Abbey Rodefer, Macel Stowers, and Jazlin Wallace.
For the fifth consecutive year, FFA members competed in a chapter wide job interview contest where members were interviewed by community members. The winner in each grade level moved onto the district contest. The job interview awards are donated by Hometown Comfort.
The following members that competed at the district level Job interview contest were: Freshman Hannah Lee, Sophomore Emma DeCann, Junior Abbey Rodefer, Senior Rachael Kimball, and first year Upper Classmen Kiara Carrell.
The following teams were recognized: Ag Sales, General Livestock, Equine Management, Tractor Trouble Shooting, Outdoor Power, Greenhand Quiz, and Ag Mechanics.
New this year is the Ag Issues team. The team had to pick a current agriculture issue, research the issue, write a script and present their presentation to five community organizations as well as at the state contest. The team members consists of: Emmalie Besecker, Madison Myers, Leah Norton, Sarah Norton, Mykenzie Smith, Wes Taylor, and Alyssa Zdobinski.
The meats team was recognized: Mark Armstrong, Ricky Cole, Tanner Davis, Zack Horn, Daytona Hunter, Alison Kimball, Lane Koehl, Johnathon McLane, Wyatt McKee, Jesse Norton, Conner Phillips, Dallas Smith, Clay Stiner, and Kaleb Zapfe.
The Advanced Parliamentary Procedure Team competed at the sub-district, district and state contest ending with a gold rating at each event. They missed the final round by 4.5 points. Team members were: Mark Armstrong, Trena Caldwell, Gracie Jones, Rachael Kimball, Haley Koehl, Jesse Norton, Sara Norton, Kacy Osswald, and Macel Stowers.
The Novice Parliamentary Procedure team competed in the sub-district, district and state contests receiving a gold rating at all three contests. The team placed third at the state contest bringing home another banner for Trail parliamentary procedure! Team members were: Emmalie Besecker, Lily Bowerman, Tanner Davis, Kindra Holloway, Brianne Kosier, Hannah Lee, Madison Myers, Leah Norton, and Wes Taylor.
The following State Degree Recipients were honored: Haley Koehl and Abbey Rodefer.
The following American Degree Recipients were honored: Grant Killen and Holly Lawson.
New officers were named for the 2019-2020 school year: Sentinel Mark Armstrong, Reporter Haley Koehl, Secretary Kacy Osswald, Treasurer Sara Norton, Vice President Alyssa Zdobinski, and President Abbey Rodefer.
