by FFA News Reporter Amanda Fornoff
FFA Members Lance Wach, Amanda Fornoff, Terra Bishop, and Aryka Hill won top honors and qualified for Nationals in the Ag Communications contest at the Nebraska State FFA Convention held in Lincoln, March 28-30. Seniors Lichelle Large, Buck Richards, and Evan Richter were honored with State Degrees, and many others brought home medals and ribbons from their competitions, too.

 

FFA Advisor Steve Hogeland said, “I thought my final State FFA Convention was the most productive convention in 30 years at Hayes Center. I was really proud of them.”

 

 In Ag Communications, the Hayes Center team won gold medals.  Wach served as press release writer where he earned the top purple ribbon. Bishop was the news reporter and earned a purple ribbon. Fornoff worked as the graphic artist and earned a blue ribbon; and Hill served as the broadcaster of the team but did not win a ribbon.  The team was coached by ag journalism teacher Mrs. Ann Fornoff.
“We were all really shocked and excited when we found out that we had received first place as a team.  The competition was hard and nerve-racking, but we all felt like we were prepared fairly well. 

 

I’d like to thank Mrs. Fornoff for forming us all into great journalists; all of our hard work really paid off in this competition!” said senior Bishop. The Ag Issues team of Jessica Anderjaska, Kayla Dockery, Travis Garrett, Tanner Richards, and Brett Neverve earned a white ribbon, but no individuals won ribbons.
In Floriculture, Hayes Center’s team of Holly Bowman, Alicea Cox, Ranie Goltl, and Josie Rosno won bronze medals.  Bowman and Cox earned blue individual ribbons while Goltl and Rosno received purple ribbons for their contest work. Rosno said, “After our competition when we found out that we placed in the top five teams, the next three hours until the awards were the longest most excruciatingly painful hours of our lives. When they announced us third, we were all completely excited and totally thrilled.”  The Floriculture teamed was coached by Mrs. Katy Snyder.

 

Junior Wach also won a gold medal in Diversified Agricultural Production.  “I was just competing in it to gain experience, and I never thought that I would win. I was completely shocked when they announced my name,” said Wach.

 

Senior Richter captured a bronze in Job Interview.  “I didn’t give the greatest interview, but it gave me good practice for my future job interview,” said Richter.

 

In Senior Livestock Judging, the team received a blue ribbon while Erik Anderjaska earned an individual purple ribbon. Buck Richards was honored with an individual blue ribbon while Lichelle Large received a red.  Kaila Kressin also judged but didn’t place.

 

In Junior Livestock Judging, Brian Christner, Luke Clifford, Tyler Clifford, and Evan Messersmith all competed but none of them placed. In Welding, Wacey Hamilton competed in the oxy-acetylene and received a red ribbon. Ritcher participated in MIG welding and worked for a white. Logan Hamilton finished out the team, competing in the Arc Welding but he didn’t place. 

 

Seniors Large, Richards, and Richter were honored with State Degrees.
“It was a big relief after all the work put into getting my degree.
It’s really special since not many people from Hayes Center have earned one,” said Vice President Richter.

 

President Buck Richards said, “I was really excited to receive my state FFA degree.  I am also very proud that so many of our FFA members did well at state.”

 

To wrap up the school year, Hayes Center held its annual FFA banquet Tuesday, April 17, 2007, where members were honored for their accomplishments throughout the year, new officers were installed, and long time FFA Advisor Steve Hogeland retired after 30 years.  "I was very pleased with the turnout of students and parents at the FFA banquet," said Mr. Hogeland.

 

President Buck Richards opened up the annual ceremony.  After officers, members, and guests enjoyed a lasagna buffet supper, awards were presented and new officers were installed.

 

First, 12 FFA members received the Greenhand Award--juniors Alicea Cox and Ranie Goltl; and freshmen Alex Wach, Tyler Clifford, Peter Soncksen, Shelby Tyan, Joslyn Large, Keifer Messersmith, Brady Rosno, Kirstin Kressin, Travis Garrett, and Samantha Deaver.

 

Cox, Austin Lawson, Wach, Clifford, Soncksen, Tyan, Large, Messersmith, Rosno, Kressin, and Deaver also earned their Chapter Farmer Degree.

 

Certificates of appreciation were given to individuals who sponsored the canoe trip, the FFA dance, the State FFA trip, or helped the chapter in some way.  Those honored include Randy and Lana Richter, Steve and Pat Hogeland, Bryan Vrbas, Patty Gohl, Kevin and Ann Fornoff, Eric and Karmajo Hill, Jim Singleton, Jeffrey Unger, Kenny Messersmith, Starla Richards, Kip Richards, and Terry and LuAnn Wortman.
Advisor Hogeland honored freshman Joslyn Large with the Star Greenhand Award.  Senior Lichelle Large was named Star Chapter Farmer.  Mr. Hogeland then shared his gratitude for an outstanding year and his appreciation to all of those who have had a hand in FFA over the years.

 

Lastly, President Richards began the installation of new officers for the 2007-08 school year.  The newly elected officers are President Lance Wach,  Vice President Roseanna Goin, Secretary Kaila Kressin, News Reporter Amanda Fornoff, Sentinel Robert Deaver, Treasurer Tanner Richards, Parliamentarian Joslyn Large and Officer-at-Large Kristin Kressin.

 

“I feel very honored that the committee selected me to be president. I am really looking forward to leading our chapter for the  coming year,” said newly elected President Wach.

 

Advisor Steve Hogeland installed Mrs. Katy Synder as the new FFA Advisor.

 

President Wach presented retiring President Richards with his FFA gable and then proceeded to close the evening’s events.
Officers will attend COLT in late May to prepare for next school year.