BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
Lake Butler FFA held its annual Awards Banquet and ceremony Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the Union County High School auditorium. Most of both the Lake Butler Middle School and UCHS chapters were in attendance, along with many parents and members of the community. The Thursday night scheduling of the event may have hurt attendance a bit, as the number of attendees seemed lower this year, but the expected enthusiasm and spirit was as high as always. There were 400 FFA members present for the event.
Before the program began, as well as throughout the event, entertainment was provided by FFA members Vivian Hunt, Tucker Dortch, Kendyl Brannen and Saige Waters. UCHS JROTC presented the colors and Vivian Hunt sang the National Anthem. Senior Chapter President Tanner Connell and Junior Chapter President Saige Waters conducted the opening ceremony, then Connell welcomed his fellow members, the attendees, several guests (members of the district staff, school board members and school administrators from UCHS and LBMS).
Connell and Waters then welcomed some special guests that were to be made honorary members – persons who had shown themselves willing to advance agriculture education and the FFA that had rendered outstanding service to the organization, as voted on by the chapter members. These were Meagan Daniel, Tammy Wilkerson, Dianna Jackson and Andrew and Lori Augsburger. Each was introduced and the reasons they were chosen for honorary membership were given. All were welcomed to membership by chapter officers and awarded plaques commemorating their membership.
Next was the Distinguished Service Award, given to Fila Perez for his assistance to the chapters. Then the Blue and Gold Award was granted to Billy Ray Elixson of CDM. The award was accepted for Elixson by Paul Waters.
A representative of the Florida Farm Bureau was called to the stage to assist in the presentation of the Degree Pins to members who had earned them.
The first of the degrees is the Discovery Degree. Receiving a Discovery Degree pin were: Conner Atwater, Kullen Barnett, Delana Barton, Malachi Bennett, Ellie Boccanelli, Gabby Bradley, Bryson Bratcher, Autumn Burnette, Isaiah Cepeda, Tripp Connell, Gracie Crawford, Jackson Crawford, Melanie Elixson, Sophia Elixson, Arabella Gaultney, Bralyn Haight, Eric Hall, Emily Hann, Tenly Hardee, Canaan Harris, Rachel Harris, Harley Johnson, Jayden Johnson, Assyson Kelley, Ayden Klein, Kielee Leet, Taylor Lesch, Rylee McDowall, Gracelyn McGee, Audrey Miller, Lindsey Nash, Fenix Norman, Tripp Norris, Owen Parrish, Za’miyah Pierce, Ridge Robinson, Kiptyn Shuler, Camryn Tempest, Weston Thompson, Riley Trowell, Presley Whitehead, William Wilkerson, Ashlyn Williams, Wyatt Wilson and Madison Woods. The Discovery pins given to each member were sponsored by Lake Butler Farm Center.
The next degree award was the Greenhand Degree, with the pins sponsored by Union County Farm Bureau. Recipients of the Greenhand Degree and pin were: Layla Lexander, Ezequiel Baker, Jacee Box, Kendyl Brannen, Michaela Buckley, Naomi Coker, Lillie Conner, Jesse Davis, Tucker Dortch, Aubree Gay, Blayne Hendricks, Marcus Jefferson, Gabrielle Johnson, Mia Kent, Rebecca Langkou, Sierra Mohl, Carson Moss, Makenzie Radford, Rebekah Scott, Gavin Smith, Bayley Staier, Brady Tetstone, Jackson Thames, Natalie Thames, Carsen Thomas, Cali Tomlinson, Grace Turknett, Madalynn Turknett, Brayden Williams, Malia Williams, Graysen Willis, Miley Wilson and Addison Wright.
The FFA Chapter pins, sponsored by Shatto Heating and Air, were then presented. Recipients were: Sierra Bell, Nolan Biegley, Landon Cason, Kierston Clemons, Jesse Davis, Jesse Dicks, Shayna Durrance, Delani Harden, Joseph Harris, Blayne Hendricks, Codi Huntley, Peyton Kilgore, Savannah Miller, Summer Shaw, Bailey Varnes, Bo Wilson, Macie Wilson and Addison Wright.
The Career Development Teams then took the spotlight. All of them competed and won at state and/or national competition.
The Ag Communications Team competed at the National level. The team had the highest media plan score in the nation. They brought home gold pins and are ranked as the Reserve National Champion Agricultural Communications Team. In addition, Madison Johnson placed fifth individually in the nation. Reagan Robinson had the highest score in both the test and practicum and was the high individual of the contest – making her a national champion. The team was brought on board by the company for which they highlighted in their media plan as well. Members are: Kindall Johnson, Madison Johnson, Perry Johnson, Reagan Robinson and Hannah Sherrod. Robinson was also presented with a National Champion ring.
In Prepared Public Speaking the Senior Chapter was represented by Bailey Varnes. Varnes placed second at the subdistrict contest. Emmy Vaughn represented the middle school chapter and won the subdistrict contest and placed third in the district contest.
Vivian Hunt represented the middle school in Extemporaneous Public Speaking, winning the subdistrict contest and placing second at the district contest. In the high school division, Tanner Connell competed at both the subdistrict and district level, placing third at the district competition.
The Middle School Chapter was represented in Creed Speaker competition by Jamie-Lynn Courson. She placed third at the subdistrict competition. The Senior Chapter was represented by Kendyl Brannen. Brannen placed at the subdistrict competition and took first place at the District level. He will represent the chapter at the state convention in June.
The Parliamentary Procedure awards were sponsored by Betsy Whitehead. The UCHS team won the district contest, qualifying them for state competition in June. Team members are: Tanner Connell, Cailynn Boggs, Kutter Durrance, Joseph Harris, Sierra Mohl, Kendyl Brannen, Bailey Varnes, Tucker Dortch and Ezequiel Baker.
The middle school Parliamentary Procedure team also won at the district level. They will compete at the state level this summer. Team members are: Jamie-Lynn Courson, Rachel Harris, Vivian Hunt, Hayden Robinson, Paislee Jo Stalnaker and Saige Waters.
The Middle School Opening & Closing Ceremonies Team won the subdistrict and district contests and will be competing at state level this June. Team members are: Delana Barton, Ellie Boccanelli, Jamie Lynn Courson, Emily Hann, Rachel Harris, Gracelyn McGee, Hayden Robinson, Paislee Jo Stalnaker and Saige Waters.
In the Tractor Driving Contest, Tanner Connell represented the Senior Chapter and place second in the district.
The Agriculture Education Contest was held at UF in December and Cailynn Boggs represented the chapter.
The high school Forestry Team placed second in district competition. Team members include: Rachel Archer, Cailynn Boggs, Kendyl Brannen, Jesse Dicks, Kutter Durrance, Joseph Harris, Peyton Kilgore and Madison Starling. The middle school Forestry Team placed first in the district and went on to place fifth in state competition. Team members are: Brylee Elixson, Cane Reddish, Madison Adams, Arabella Gauntly and Harley Johnson.
The middle school Tool Identification Team competed at state level last fall. Team members are: Hayden Robinson, Madison Adams, Cane Reddish, Paislee Jo Stalnaker, Kiptyn Shuler and Sophia Elixson.
The Food Science middle school team included William Wilkerson, Addyson Kelley, Saige Waters, Jamie Lynn Courson and Bryson Bratcher.
The Senior Food Science Team placed eighth in the state contest. Team members included: Tanner Connell, Shayna Durrance, Cailynn Boggs, Madison Starling and Aubree Gay.
The middle school Poultry Team placed fourth in the state. Team members are: Conner Atwater, Jamie Lynn Courson, Brylee Elixson, Hayden Robinson and Saige Waters.
The Middle School Horse Judging team members include: Brylee Elixson, Bralyn Haight, Vivian Hunt, Paislee Jo Stalnaker, Saylor Rhoden and Graceleigh Gathright.
The Horse Judging team placed second in the state contest this year. Team members include: Bailey Varnes, Kendyl Brannen, Bayley Staier, Sierra Bell and Jolena Rogers. Varnes was the fifth high individual in the state.
Senior Conduct of Meeting Team members are: Darby Andrews, Nolan Beighley, Kutter Durrance, Grace Newsom, Noah Williams, Tucker Williams and Adrienne Wolfe. Middle school Conduct of Meetings team members are: Kendyl Brannen, Mia Kent, Bayley Staier, Brady Tetstone, Cali Tomlinson, Graysen Willis, Miley Wilson and Riley Woodland.
The Veterinary Assisting team placed fourth in the state this year. Members included: Shayna Durrance, Madison Starling, Darby Andrews, Leanne Dicks and Cali Tomlinson. Durrance was the fifth high individual in the state.
The Ag Issues team will compete at the state convention in June. Team members are: Layla Alexander, Kendyl Brannen, Tanner Connell, Joseph Harris, Bayley Staier and Bailey Varnes.
The Proficiency Awards are sponsored by Farm Credit of North Florida and Savannah Douglas. There are four recipients this year. They are: Cailynn Boggs – Equine Placement, Tanner Connell – Forage Production (Tanner is a state finalist), Peyton Kilgore – Feeder Swine and Reagan Robinson – Ag Education. All of the recipients received a medallion to honor their efforts.
The Carl Bielling Promise of Agriculture Award recognizes FFA members who have outstanding SAE projects and who hold the same values as the awards namesake did. Recipients of the award were: from the middle school – Jaime Lynn Courson ($150) and from the high school – Joseph Harris ($250).
Workhorse awards recognize the efforts of members who work to benefit the chapter. Each receives a plaque, sponsored by Badcock Home Furnishings and more, Clay Electric, Jesse Bielling, Russell and Deborah Gordon and Spires IGA Grocery and a $50 cash award, sponsored by Union Power, Allen and Carolyn Parrish, Hillandale, North Florida Custom Meats, Ashlyn Burtle, the Croft family, Brian Franzluebbers, Jared Bielling, Daryl Brewer, Avery Roberts, Andrea Andrews Kinneman, Adam Burgess, Clay Electric, DLP Bank (Jennie Reed), Billy and Pam Woodington, Amanda James, Clint Williams, Ashley Osteen Brooks, Old Providence Farms (Shawn and Emily Newsom), Kyle and Taylor Parrish, Abi Ripplinger, Bielling Tire, Parrish Tractor Services (Branden Parrish) and Mary Parrish).
Workhorse award winners are: Noah Williams, Jesse Dicks, Riggs Davis, Kutter Durrance, Joseph Harris, Tanner Connell, Bo Wilson, Blayne Hendricks, Kody Stalnaker, Kendyl Brannen, Tucker Dortch, Saige Waters, Vivian Hunt, Tucker Williams, Mason Fassett, Cailyn Boggs, Bailey Varnes, Peyton Kilgore, Shayna Durrance, Bobbie Jo Montford, Bayley Staier, Sierra Bell, Madison Starling, Sierra Mohl, Jamie Lynn Courson, Hayden Robinson, Paislee Jo Stalnaker, Brylee Elixson, Gracelyn McGee, Rachel Harris and Addyson Kelley.
After ten years the annual poinsettia sale has become one of the primary sources of income for the chapters. High school members who sold more than 80 plants, thus winning the “Bub Cup” were: Peyton Kilgore, Mia Kent, Eva Whitehead, Abby Williams, Tanner Connell, Bobbie Jo Montford, Delani Harden, Gavin Smith, Jesse Davis and Sydney Box. The top five salesmen from both chapters received a certificate for their efforts. They are: first place with 264 plants – Peyton Kilgore; second place with 157 plants – Tanner Connell; third place with 150 plants – Bobbie Jo Montford; fourth place with 132 plants – Hayden Robinson and fifth place with 110 plants – Brylee Elixson.
Brittany McGee came to the podium to present the Outstanding Middle School Member awards. The winners are: Sixth grade member, receiving a $50 check from the Bishop family, is Vivian Hunt; the Seventh grade member, receiving a $50 check from Badcock, is Gracelyn McGee and the eighth grade member, receiving a $50 check from TL Squared Builders, is Jamie Lynn Courson.
The Elite Eighth Grader award is given to a middle school student who has been involved in FFA since the sixth grade who has the most points on the chapter activities chart for their middle school career. Allen and Carolyn Parrish awarded this year’s recipient with a trophy and a $100. That recipient was Jamie Lynn Courson.
The Outstanding Seniors awards are sponsored by Sheriff Brad Whitehead, Zeb and Georgie Howard and Kellie Rhoades. The winners are: (Ninth grade – 84 chapter points) Kendyl Brannen; (Tenth grade – 89 chapter points) Bailey Varnes; (Eleventh grade – 63 chapter points) Joseph Harris and (Twelfth grade – 112 chapter points) Tanner Connell. Each winner received a $50 check from their sponsor.
Next in the program the Star awards were announced. Plaques were sponsored by Emerson Nursery and Rental Plants and a cash award was given by a sponsor. The Star Discovery Award, sponsored by Kyle and Taylor Parrish, went to Brylee Elixson. The Star Greenhand Award, sponsored by Bielling’s Tires, went to Bailey Varnes. The Star Chapter Degree, sponsored by Jason Stalnaker, went to Joseph Harris. The Star Chapter Farmer Award, sponsored by Pritchett Trucking, went to Tanner Connell. The Star Agricultural Placement Award, sponsored by Roberts Land and Timber, went to Bobbie Jo Montford. The Star in Agribusiness Award, sponsored by Emerson Nursery and Rental Plants and Lavender House, went to Cailynn Boggs. The Star Agriscience Award, sponsored by the Dukes Family Farm and Emerson Nursery and Rental Plants, went to Peyton Kilgore.
Chapter scholarships are awarded to both junior and senior chapter members. From the middle school chapter, a pin and a check for $50 from Pritchett Trucking went to Brylee Elixson; a pin and a $50 check from Terra Johnson went to Rachel Harris and, a pin and a $50 check from Branden Parrish went to Addyson Kelley. In the senior chapter, a pin and a $50 check from Clay Electric went to Rylie Parrish; a pin and a $50 check from the Bishop Family went to Kendyl Brannen and a pin and $50 check from Seth Parrish went to Jolena Rogers. In the high school chapter, Tanner Connell received a pin and a check from Caleb Waters; Cailynn Boggs received a pin and a check from Becky Raulerson; Bailey Varnes received a pin and a check from Carlton Faulk and Kendyl Brannen received a pin and a check from Jesse Bielling.
Seniors earning the Senior Emblem Award, who were recognized with an FFA letter were: Tanner Connell, Cailynn Boggs, Noah Williams, Ryleigh Rhoden, Bobbie Jo Montford, Lyndee Griffis, Rylie Parrish, Sydney Box, Kody Stalnaker, Jordan Hendricks, Hunter Merritt, Karli Jenkins and Calli Morrow.
State FFA Degrees are the highest honor bestowed by the state and go to the graduating seniors that have contributed the most to the chapters throughout their career. Graduates earning their State Degrees are Cailynn Boggs, Tanner Connell and Bobbie Jo Montford.
The Superior Senior Award was sponsored by Audyn Woodington and Ashlyn Burtle, who provided a trophy and $200. This award was won by Tanner Connell.
Next came the scholarships. The Harlis Ellington Memorial Scholarship was presented to Noah Williams. The Alice Griffis Ellington Scholarship was awarded to Tanner Connell. The Mary Alice Ellington Scholarship was awarded to Chrissy Quiett. The American Degree Recognition in Memory of Larry Davison was awarded to Keeley Durrance. The Lori Nicole Anderson Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Bobbie Jo Montford, Lyndee Griffis and Noah Williams. Winners of the Wild Turkey Federation Scholarships were Noah Williams, Chrissy Quiett and Bryson Huggins. The winner of the National FFA Scholarship was Tanner Connell. The Daniel Elixson Memorial Scholarships went to Cailyn Boggs, Morgyn Kirby and Karli Jenkins. The Ciara Kearns Memorial Scholarship was granted to Sydney Box. The Summer Crosby Memorial Scholarship were given to Lyndee Griffis and Rylie Parrish. The Hobo Tractor Scholarship was given to Cailyn Boggs and Karli Jenkins. The Workhorse Scholarship was given to Noah Williams.
The last recognition of the evening was the Inaugural Servant Leadership Scholarship, sponsored by Jace Bielling, Will Harden and Li Hendricks in the amount of $500. Cailynn Boggs was selected to be the first recipient of this scholarship.
The evening concluded with the recognition of officers from both chapters, a slide show showing highlights from the 23-24 year and a closing ceremony by the Senior Chapter officers
