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Nevada FFA Awards Night celebrates student achievements
On Wednesday evening, May 10, Nevada FFA Awards Night was held to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of students in the Nevada High School Cafeteria. President Mason Forkner led the program, which began with Historian Preslee Bower delivering the Invocation. The attendees enjoyed a delicious Pork/Chicken Dinner prepared by Emily Daniel and the Nevada Regional Technical Center Culinary Arts Class, followed by a captivating slide show. The award ceremonies then took place at the Ella Maxwell Performing Arts Center, where numerous FFA students received well-deserved honors.
Among the notable awards presented were the Honorary Memberships, which were given to Crystal Burch and Tammy Hendren. Tammy Barthathmew and Chris Dryer received the Certificate of Appreciation. The Barnwarming King and Queen titles were bestowed upon Brayden Gast and Lailee Chadd.
The event also recognized the top-performing FFA students. Those who achieved the top 10% in FFA included Natalie Neil, Brayden Gast, JD Wingate, Mason Forkner, Rhett Forkner, Wade Hartman, Esmeralda Franklin, Cole Burch, Avery Ogle, Corbin Neil, Ariana Franklin, Preslee Bower, Tommy Peery, Allison Balk, and Mariska Buehler. Another group of students was commended for maintaining a 3.5 GPA while participating in FFA, including Jenny Aguilar, Sydnee Baldwin, Allison Balk, Caiden Blake, Mariska Buehler, Destany Collins, Addi Dilly, Jacob Dryer, Rhett Forkner, Ariana Franklin, Brayden Gast, McKenzy Hart, Wade Hartman, Greycen Hulsey, Kyrra Hulburt, Gabie Leonard, Ryan McInroy, Corbin Neil, Natalie Neil, Avery Ogle, Kennedy Ogle, Kiersten Palmer, LeAndra Shotts, Heaven Shouse, Lauren Sloniker, and JD Wingate.
The awards continued with the recognition of the top three salespeople, Lailee Chadd, Rhett Forkner, and Preslee Bower. The Livestock Judging Team, consisting of Mason Forkner, Cole Burch, Brayden Gast, and Ariana Franklin, was celebrated for their achievements. Caiden Blake received the 1st Time Scholarship, while Ariana Franklin was honored as the Outstanding Senior/Non-Traditional Student. Rhett Forkner, Tommy Peery, Natalie Neil, and Cole Burch were respectively recognized as the Outstanding Freshman, Outstanding Sophomore, Outstanding Junior, and Outstanding Senior.
Several students received proficiency awards for their exceptional performance in specific categories. Brayden Gast secured the third place Area award in Diversified Livestock Production. Mason Forkner achieved the State Winner title in Swine Production Entrepreneurship. Avery Ogle earned the Area Winner accolade in Fruit Production Entrepreneurship, as well as the third place Area award in Small Animal Production and Care. Natalie Neil received the second place Area award in Sheep Ownership. Other notable proficiency awards were given to Abbi Balk (third place Area, Food Service Placement), Allison Balk (second place Area, Poultry Production), and Ryan McInroy (Area Winner, Agriculture Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement).
One of the highlights of the evening was the recognition of the Greenhand Degree Recipients. Jenny Aguilar, Zakori Anthony, River Bird, Lily Booth, Ryken Butler, Addison Dilly, Jacob Dryer, Rhett Forkner, McKenzy Hart, Jayden Luther, Isabell Mendez, Corbin Neil, Reagan Ray, Heaven Shouse, Lauren Sloniker, and Lucas Turowski were among the students who received this prestigious award. Additionally, Corbin Neil was presented with the Star Greenhand Award for his exceptional performance.
Another group of students acknowledged for their achievements were the Chapter Degree Recipients. Sydnee Baldwin, Mariska Buehler, Destany Collins, Sayda Klotz, Gabby Leonard, Davancc Lovera, Logan Newton, Tommy Peery, Delaney Rapp, LeAndra Shotts, Clen Taylor, JD Wingate, Rylee Wydick, and Kallie Harman were recognized for their dedication to FFA and their chapter. JD Wingate was especially applauded for receiving the Star Chapter Award.
Mason Forkner received multiple accolades. He was awarded the Star 2022-2023 Area Chapter Award, along with Cole Burch. Both students were also honored as 2022-2023 Area FFA Degree Recipients. Additionally, Forkner earned the prestigious Missouri State Degree Farmer Award for his exceptional contributions to the agricultural community.
The event also recognized the outstanding performance of various FFA teams. The Meats Team, consisting of Natalie Neal, Corbin Neal, Rhett Forkner, and Jacob Dryer, received praise for their achievements. The Soil Team, comprising Logan Newton, Davanee Lovera, Destiny Collins, and Rylee Wydick, was also commended. The Poultry Team, consisting of Lauren Sloniker, Sydnee Baldwin, LeAndra Thomas, and JD Wingate, showcased their knowledge and skills in their respective field. The Ag Mechanics Team, including Dakota Jones, Calen Taylor, Tommy Peery, and JD Wingate, demonstrated their excellence in agricultural machinery. The Horse Team, featuring Esmeralda Franklin, Ariana Franklin, Mariska Buehler, and Bryson Morrison, impressed with their equestrian expertise. The Ag Sales/Marketing Team, led by Mason Forkner, Brayden Gast, Wade Hartman, and Cole Burch, showcased their business acumen. Furthermore, the Dairy Cattle Team, the Livestock Competitors Team, the Fall Speeches Team, the FFA Knowledge Team, and the Prepared Public Speaking II Team were all recognized for their outstanding contributions to their respective disciplines.
To conclude the event, FFA Booster Club Treasure Lori Chadd presented scholarships to Mason Forkner, Cole Burch, Mallarie Yokely, and Ariana Franklin, acknowledging their commitment to their education and the FFA. Ag Advisors Bryan Gast and Josh Mareth delivered inspiring speeches, motivating the students to continue their pursuit of excellence. The installation of the new officers for the upcoming school year (2023-24) marked a transition of leadership within the FFA chapter. Mason Forkner, in his closing remarks, expressed gratitude to all those who attended and participated in the Awards Night.
The evening ended with a touching Senior Slide Show, where the graduating seniors retired their FFA jackets.