Staff writer
The annual Centre FFA banquet Thursday proved to be an emotional evening for many. At least 140 people were in attendance.
Adviser Cary Granzow was recognized for completing 30 years in that position, one year shy of the entire history of the program, which began during the 1978-79 school year.
Gaea Wimmer, who served as ag instructor for six years, will be leaving at the end of the year to pursue a doctorate in ag education from Texas Tech University. She also will teach several college classes.
“You’ve made this program special,” Granzow said.
The late Lee Remy, a longtime supporter of Centre FFA, was recognized with a video showing his service at work auctions. Remy died in December 2008. Memorial money contributed in his name was used to provide a second FFA display case in the commons area of Centre High School.
The program was led by chapter president Nathan Barney and his fellow officers, Brian Burhoop, Cole Svoboda, Ripley Howard, Tori Marler, Tanner Brunner, and Amanda Floyd.
Theo Kassebaum presented the FFA creed. She won the district contest and will compete at state. Shane Methvin received a chapter creed-speaking award.
Kassebaum and Methvin received star greenhand awards. Konley Harding and Barney were named chapter stars. Wimmer reported that Svoboda and Burhoop earned district stars.
Wimmer presented Dani Spohn a pair of cowboy boots for her all-around participation in FFA and her assistance to FFA advisers.
Students with an overall grade-point average of 3.5 or above received scholarship awards. They were seniors Sheila Makovec and Adam Kristek, sophomores Burhoop, Jacob Jirak, Allison Shields, Svoboda, and Tyler Klenda, and freshmen Kassebaum and Methvin.
Burhoop was recognized as top fruit salesman. More than 1,100 items were sold, and the $738 raised was donated to the Chapman FFA chapter.
Chapter proficiency awards
Alex Hajek: ag mechanics design and fabrication; beef production.
Heath Hill: ag mechanics energy systems.
Barney: ag sales and service; sheep production.
Trevor Hageberg: ag processing.
Burhoop: diversified crop production; grain production.
Brunner: equine science.
Leann Pankratz: floriculture.
Makovec: food science and technology.
James Weber: forage production.
Katie Remy: landscape management.
Klenda: swine production.
Svoboda: vegetable production; wildlife management.
Shelby Deines: vet science.
The honorary chapter FFA degree was awarded to Courtney Meyers, Wimmer’s twin sister, who teaches ag communications at Texas Tech and has provided guidance to Wimmer and her students for several years.
Scholarships
Centre FFA Alumni Association presented college scholarships to Barney, Savik Howard, Makovec, Adam Kristek, and Weber.
Francis Jirak presented two Leo S. Jirak scholarships, one to Barney and one to Makovec.
Makovec received the Evancho scholarship, and Barney received a Leadership scholarship from anonymous donors.
Barney and Hill were recognized for earning their state FFA degrees, and 2008 graduates Andy Carlson and Nellie Hill were recognized for earning American degrees that they will receive at the national convention in October.