South Central FFA Chapter Banquet

South Central, IL -(Effingham Radio)- There was a crowd of nearly 160 at the South Central FFA Banquet on March 7th. South Central FFA Advisor, T.J. Bolin says, “I am very pleased with the huge crowd for South Central High School. It truly shows how much the community supports our program.” South Central FFA Chapter held its banquet on March 7 at 6:30 p.m at the South Central High School Cafeteria. The chapter began by eating a meal of pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, smoked cabbage, potato salad, and delicious cakes; thanks to Midwest BBQ and Jessica Lacey, and Phyllis Smith. After the meal, the members received recognition of their hard work and dedication to the FFA organization and for the career development events that they participated in. 

Andrew Lybarger, Macy Donoho, Brandt Hiestand, Alec Langley, Josie Smith, Dennis Wollin, Mitchell Brauer, Eli Arenas, Hunter Brandt, Haylie Brown, Sierra Cooper, Victoria Iler, Gavin Muma, Morgan Robb, and Chloe Smith received the academic award for having a 3.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 grade scale.

• Mitchell Brauer, Haylie Brown, Tanner Brown, Blaze Courson, Alexis Cowger, Drew Hassebrock, Alex Hawkey, Jacob Hawkey, Alec Hiestand, Jacob Hilmes, Forest Koelher, Riley Mauer, Chezney Robb, Morgan Robb, Kaylee Shomaker, Chloe Smith, and Chase Thompson. all received Greenhand pins. To receive a Greenhand pin, you must have a Greenhand degree, an SAE program (record book), be in an Agriculture class, and have a satisfactory scholastic record.
• South Central FFA members participated in four Land Use competitions. Dennis Wollin, Alec Langley, Macy Donoho, Mason Robb, and alternate Alexis Cowger participated in the Farm Progress Show Soil Judging.  Morgan Robb, Alexis Cowger, Dennis Wollin, Eli Arenas, Levi Hanks, Brandt Hiestand, Alec Langley competed in the Tri-County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Land Use Contest. Dennis Wollin, Eli Arenas, Brandt Hiestand, Alec Langley, and Alexis Cowger competed in the Section 19 Land Use contest. Eli Arenas, Alec Langley, Mason Robb, and Dennis Wollin competed in the State Land Use contest. The Land Use event is where participants analyze and evaluate soil pits. The event activities include looking at the landscape characteristics, soil profile characteristics, soil structure, calculation of soil loss and determination of the C value, and evaluation of nonagricultural use.
• Victoria Iler, Riley Mauer, Adrianna Horton, Gabe Hoffman, Haylie Brown, Alexis Cowger, and Taylor Jenne. The top scorer for South Central was Taylor Jenne. The Horse CDE is where FFA members are taught what character traits are favorable traits for Quarter Horses. Participants then evaluate the horse’s physical characteristics.
• Cotter Hiestand and Dawson Carter both received a certificate for participating in the Job Interview career development event. At the Job Interview career development event, members must prepare a cover letter and resume ahead of time and submit. Then the individuals interviewed about their selected position, fill out a job application, and wrote a thank you note at the event. Jacob and Dawson did a great job at the event!
• Brandt Hiestand, Cotter Hiestand, Alec Langley ,Eli Arenas, and Dawson Carter received a certificate for attending Lakeland’s Agronomy event. The Agronomy event was held at Lake Land College and FFA members demonstrated skills by identifying a variety of crop seeds, insects and various weeds that could cause harm in plant growth. Members also had to look at four samples of each: hay, silage, corn, and soybeans. After viewing the samples, they then ranked the samples from best to worse. Dawson Carter placed 8th, Eli Arenas placed 2nd, and Alec Langley placed 3rd individually. We received 2nd place as a team in Section 19! 
• Morgan Robb, Dennis Wollin, and Haylie Brown  were recognized and received a certificate for participating in Public Speaking CDE, where Morgan and Haylie they memorized and delivered the FFA Creed. Dennis prepared a speech and delivered it at the CDE as well. Morgan Robb delivered the FFA Creed at the banquet as well. 
• The Freshman Positive Participator plaque was given to Morgan Robb. He participated in many of the events that the chapter has taken part in. Robb shows a great interest in the  FFA and the chapter is excited to see her grow for the next three years. 
• The Sophomore Positive Participator plaque was given to Eli Arenas. Arenas attends many FFA events. He is very enthused to be the reporter for the chapter during the 2020-2021 school year. He was given this plaque for his success as a very well rounded FFA member who has shown growth and also has a great future in front of them to fill out their high school career as an FFA member.
• The Junior Positive Participator plaque was given to Victoria Iler. Iler has fulfilled her duties as chapter President during the 2010-2020 school year and is enthused about every event she attends. She leads the FFA and has grown tremendously since her freshman year. .
• The Senior Positive Participator plaque was given to Dawson Carter. Carter participated in many Career Development Events and is a great addition to the South Central FFA Chapter and served as Treasurer this year. 
• Alec Langley received the “I Can Move Mountains” plaque. Langley consistently puts forth his best effort all of  the time. He is currently a Sophomore at South Central. He has been very active during his two years at South Central High School with the FFA. His most current achievement is with his Fiber and Oil Record book being selected as Section Winner and placing 2nd at District Interviews.He has served as Chapter Sentinel the last year for our chapter and has been a great asset to our chapter.
• Dennis Wollin received “The Highest of High Fives” plaque. He served as this year’s Chapter Reporter and is next year’s President. Dennis is a hard-working member and has been involved in South Central FFA in many ways, by participating in many CDE’s and completing a record book on his Beef cattle and rabbits. He also recently won Diversified Livestock at the section level and placed 2nd at the district level as a result of his SAE projects  He is a very enthusiastic individual and has participated in a great majority of the FFA activities our chapter participates in throughout the year.
• The “Step Up, Stand Out” plaque was given to Taylor Jenne. At the beginning of her freshman year, Jenne seemed a little reserved and laid back. However, in her freshman year, she became very active and has attended many different events since. She is a very hard worker and is dedicated to her own and the success of the South Central FFA Chapter. She served as the chapter Historian during the 2019-2020 school year and will serve in the same capacity during the 2020-2021 school year..

2019-2020 South Central FFA Reporter, Dennis Wollin said, “If there were one word that describes FFA, it would have to be Opportunity. Whether we are judging livestock or traveling around, FFA opens the doors for unbelievable events. When we wear the blue jacket, we are unlocking a world of possibilities.” There was then a presentation of pictures from the previous year’s activities.

The chapter then wanted to take time and thank the news media. Cotter Hiestand, 2018-2019 South Central FFA Treasurer said. “We greatly appreciate the media support in helping us spread the word of the activities we participate in. At this time, I would like to thank The Farina News, Effingham Daily, WCRC Radio, WJBD Radio, Salem Times Commoner, Centralia Sentinel, The Leader Union, and The Shopper’s Weekly.”

The chapter then recognized the community supporter that they have. The individual recognized this year are those that made donations to the Illinois FFA Foundation this year. We greatly appreciate their generosity as these funds help pay for registration fees to events as well as awards and much more. The following community members and companies have been major supporters of the South Central FFA:

• Marion County Farm Bureau  
• Ritter Car Wash 
• Dale and Janet Jahraus
• Iuka State Bank
• Durbin Vet Clinic Wilberton Mutual Insurance Company 
• Keith and Denise Kramer 
• Louis and Mary Kay Sigrist
• Daniel and Meggan Hiestand
• Wollin Farms 
  
  

South Central FFA President, Victoria Iler recognized the South Central FFA Booster organization. The FFA chapter has worked very hard on re-establishing a Supporter’s group from the community. They have had regular meetings over the last year and have had a really great response from our community members. FFA members hope that this group continues to grow and to thrive. Iler thanked them for their support of our program. 

South Central FFA President, Victoria Iler, recognize the parents of FFA members by stating, “It is time that we say thank you to a few more special people. All the FFA parents thank you for all of your help you give us. We could not do it without you, you take us to and from FFA meetings or events and help us with our FFA record books, or if it is hearing us rattle on our opinion of how something should happen. Also, thank you for always being our personal bank and giving us a few extra dollars before an FFA trip!”

South Central FFA Vice President, Cotter Hiestand then had the opportunity to introduce our keynote speaker, Mr. Randy Meyer. Meyer is a Kinmundy- Alma graduate and a 1982 State FFA Degree recipient. Mr. Randy Meyer has taught agriculture at Nokomis High School for over 30 years and is retiring at the end of this school year. Mr. Meyer has developed great relationships with many South Central students as well as Mr. T.J. Bolin the Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at South Central. We were honored to have him as a quest.

The 2020-2021 South Central FFA Officers were installed towards the end of the banquet. Officers for next year will be President Dennis Wollin, Vice President Victoria Iler, Reporter Eli Arenas, Secretary Alissa Gauger, Treasurer Alec Langley, Sentinel Carter Holmes, Historian Taylor Jenne, and Student Advisor/Farm Manager Cotter Hiestand, and Chaplain Brandt Hiestand.