Crestview's Future Farmers of America
Recognized for Their Hard Work
by Gage Eldridge
The Crestview Future Farmers of America or FFA students held their 60th Annual
Banquet in March. The banquet was set up by Vocational Agriculture teacher Danielle
Haydocy and the FFA officers. The banquet was attended by all students who are
involved in FFA and 375 family members and friends attended as well. Everyone was
able to enjoy a catered meal in the gym before the ceremony began and then the FFA labor
auction took place. This is where FFA students volunteer their time to help community members
with a task; the community members then bid on these volunteers.
The officers opened the banquet by recognizing FFA students. The
first award was the Greenhand Degree. This is for first year members of the
program who met the requirements for them. There were 41 students recognized for
this award. The second award they announced was the Chapter Degree; this award is
for second year or third year students who have met their requirements. There were 34
students who received this award. Then they announced the more difficult awards for FFA
students to earn, which includes the State Degree, of which one student meet the
requirements. Finally, the American Degree of which two students received the award, and the
Dignitarian Degree, of which 13 students received the award.
After the awards, FFA students were recognized for their sales over the school year.
These sales include fruit sales and sales of tickets for a chicken BBQ that was thrown.
After these recognitions, some of the students received their jackets. These jackets are
given to first year students who have applied to the blue jackets program. There were three
students who received these jackets. The managers of FFA were then recognized for
the work they have put into FFA. Students who took part in Career Development Events
were recognized for the going out into the real world to learn more skills over
agriculture. Seniors who have been in FFA for four years were then recognized and a slide show
of the seniors and their work were played for the crowd.
The current senior officers were recognized for their work in their position. The officers
then swore in next year's FFA officers into their positions. Jessica Smith was sworn in as
FFA’s new Secretary. Erica Davisson was sworn in as FFA’s new Vice President.
Regan Brooky was then sworn in as FFA’s new President. The officers then closed the
banquet and students were able to meet with their friends and family.
“It was a great feeling to be sworn into my new position. I was so close with the last
president. I feel honored and excited with my new position,” said current President
Regan Brooky. “It was great! All the students did well with their speaking parts. We did an
evaluation with all the students, and they were all proud of how it turned out,” said Haydocy.
“It was very rewarding, we got to see what we have been working on come together.
That feeling was great,” said current FFA Secretary Jessica Smith.
“It was very cool to set up, of course I was nervous with all the people who were there.
But I’m happy with how it turned out,” said current Reporter Leyna Gerich
Overall, the FFA banquet was a major success. These students put in a lot of had work
over the school year and it was a great experience for these students to be honored for
their hard work. The officers of FFA did a great job setting up this banquet and running
it.