SHS FFA banquet

The Superior High School chapter of the FFA held their annual banquet, Thursday, at the Superior Elementary School gymnasium. The banquet had been cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 45 chapter members were joined by family and friends for the event.

The chapter president, Kiki Mikkelsen, called the banquet hall to order. Each officer responded as to their presence and what their duties were as the vice-president called the roll of officers.

The presence of honored guests, Bob Cook, Superior secondary school principal, Marty Kobza, Superintendent of Superior Public Schools and all present school board members.

Taran Zoltenko offered the invocation.

The assemblage then recessed for the catered meal.

The Greenhand degrees were the first awards presented. It is bestowed upon first year FFA members to recognize their growth as FFA members. The Greenhand are presented with a special pin to wear upon their jackets. Recipients of the Greenhand degree were Cayce Barry, Raegen Burris, Zak Corman, Lilly Edwards, Trey Mueller, Sophia Fullerton, Kyalin Fullerton, Madison Heusinkvelt, Carsyn Koeing, Nadia McMeen, Lauren Tietjen and Tye Ward.

There were 16 members who earned the FFA Chapter Degree. Eligibility for the degree requires members to have received the Greenhand degree. The member must satisfactorily complete the equivalent os a minimum of 180 hours of systematic school instruction involving agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level.

They must have an approved supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program in operation as well as being enrolled in an agricultural education course. They have taken part in the planning and conducting of at least three official functions in the Chapter Program of Activities.

They are required to have earned at least $150 by the member's own efforts, or worked at least 45 hours in excess of scheduled class time or a combination of thereof, and have developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a SAE program.

They must have effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes, demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law, shown progress toward individual achievement in the FFA award program and have a satisfactory scholastic record. The following members were awarded the silver pin of the FFA Chapter Degree: Haley Blackstone, Hailey Blecha, Ella Gardner, Brooklynn Grabast, Luke Jameson, Laci Kirchhoff, Dereck Kirchhoff, Atlee Kobza, James Love, Neah McMeen, Jacob Meyer, Kaylee Mohler, Hayden Neeman, Sadie Rempel, Tate Streit and Tanner Theis.

The Jason Poole Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Jedd Whitmore by Tia Hunter.

The Gerald Mueller scholarship was presented to Todd Keifer.

Tall Pine Ag, Hardy, partnered with the Pioneer Company to present a scholarship to Jedd Whitmore.

The Roy Equall Scholarship was presented to Kiki Mikkelsen. Equall was the first FFA chapter advisor at Superior.

The Bob Keifer Memorial Scholarship was presented to Jedd Whitmore.

The Dekalb Award is presented annually to a senior based upon several criteria including, chapter involvement, academics and SAE. Taran Zoltenko was the recipient of the 2021 award.

Proficiency awards are recognition for members with outstanding SAE programs. They have applied for the award. They have competed at the district and state levels. The Agricultural Services Award was given to Tanner Theis. The Swine Production Entrepreneurship Award was given to Sherice Frasier. Seth Schnakenberg was recognized with the Goat Production Award. The Diversified Grain Production Award was presented to Todd Keifer. The Vegetable Production Award went to Kirchhoff. The Swine Production Placement Award was collected by Taran Zoltenko. The Veterinary Science Award was picked up by Mikkelsen.

Each fall members compete in 10 Leadership Development Programs at the local and district levels with the goal of representing the district at the state level. Special recognition is given for three areas: Creed Speaking, Public Speaking and Employment Skills. Cayce Barry earned the Creed Speaking Award. They each earned blue ribbons at the district competition. Sherice Frasier and Mikkelsen took the Public Speaking Award. Frasier received a blue ribbon and Mikkelsen had a purple ribbon. Employment Skills winners were Zoltenko and Emma Henderson. Zoltenko earned a blue ribbon and Henderson a purple ribbon at the district event.

The star Greenhand Award recognizes an outstanding new member. This year's recipient was Cayce Barry.

The Star Chapter Farmer Award is presented to a sophomore or junior for their participation, leadership activities and SAE programs. The award was received by laci Kirchhoff.

Brent Thomas, one of the two chapter advisors, along with Seth Going, presented the Outstanding Member Award. The honor is not exclusive to a senior class member. Cayce Barry was selected for the honor.

Honorary degrees are awarded to parents for their support, both logistical and moral, as well as guidance for members who have received their FFA State Degree. Fewer than two percent of national FFA members earn this degree. Parents are an essential support system for those who take this path. Members and their parents honored were Kiki Mikkelsen and Jarod and Melissa Mikkelsen, Todd Keifer and James and Jeanie Keifer, Conner Blackstone and Barry and Carla Blackstone, Taran Zoltenko and Lannin and Melanie Zoltenko, Jedd Whitmore and Kelvin and Danelle Whitmore.

Leadership Awards are given to a member of each class in recognition of their contributions to the chapter through leadership points. Cayce Barry was the freshman class winner. Laci Kirchhoff was the sophomore class winner. Emma Henderson represented the junior class. Kiki Mikkelsen was the senior class winner as well as the total leadership award winner.

Appreciation Awards were presented to Bob Cook, Marty Kobza, Cory Kopsa and KRFS and Shannon McCord and Ideal Market.

Seth Going and Brent Thomas covered the year in review. They pointed out the issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact upon the chapter. This was followed by a video compiled by Kiki Mikkelsen of the members and their activities throughout the year.

The junior officer team for the middle school members was intstalled. Serving as officers for the upcoming school year will be Linden Worm, Rayne Biltoft, Hallie Bargen and Mia Gardner. They will rotate officer positions throughout the year to gain experience in each post.

The senior officer team was the next to be installed. Emma Henderson will serve as president. Laci Kirchhoff is the vice-president. Ella Gardner will serve as secretary. Seth Schnakenberg is the treasurer. Brooklynn Grabast is the reporter. Cailyn Barry takes the position of parliamentarian. Sherice Frasier is the sentinel. The student council representative is Cayce Barry.

The Senior Salute allowed the seniors to "retire" their jackets in a symbolic gesture. They took off their jackets one final time as Superior High School students. Seth Going read aloud the names of each senior member along with observations, usually of the embarrassing kind. The students then doffed their jackets at the backdrop and assembled for a group photograph.

The new president, Emma Henderson, led the assembled party in the Pledge of Allegiance. She then declared the banquet adjourned.