TRACY LEE TATE
Times Staff Writer
LAKE BUTLER — The Lake Butler Chapters of the Future Farmers of America held their annual Parent/Member banquet – the 82nd such event in the chapter’s history – in the Union County Schools on Thursday, May 12, 2023 in the Union County High School auditorium to an audience of about 400 members and guests. The evening began, as always, in the UCHS cafeteria, where FFA members and Union County School Board members served guests on two buffet lines. After the meal, all made their way to the auditorium for the presentations.
While everyone was being seated live musical entertainment was provided by Maggie Thomas, Kendyl Brannen and Saige Waters. To start the event, the UCHS JROTC Color Guard presented the colors and Ava Westmoreland sang the National Anthem. The Senior Chapter officers then presented the opening ceremony, with Senior Chapter President Reagan Robinson at the podium. Members of the school district and school administrations were welcomes and given credit for their support of the program, followed by thanks expressed to Elixson Lumber for sponsoring the meal, Heidi Brown and her staff for preparing it and Emerson Nursery and Rental Plants for providing the decorative plants used in the event. Also recognized were the teachers, parents and community supporters for been a part of the success of Lake Butler FFA.
The LBMS officers came to the fore and conducted the Honorary Degree Ceremony, with Junior Chapter President Bayley Staier at the podium. Union County Judge, the Honorable Mitchell Bishop and Ken Parrish were made honorary members and welcomed by the officers.
Next, Tanner Connell and Brady Tetstone came to the podium to present the Distinguished Service Award. This year’s recipient was West Frazier, represented at the event by Rusty Steele. The company was recognized for being volume buyers at the Union County Fair, sponsoring the Lori Anderson Scholarship Bowling Tournament and, last November, buying a meal for all the students that attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
Reagan Robinson and Bayley Staier returned to the podium to present the Blue and Gold Awards to Allen Parrish and Johnny Welch for their long-time support of the FFA programs. Senior FFA Advisor Tom ‘Bub’ Williams then joined them at the podium for the induction of this year’s Hall of Fame candidate. Joe Hendricks as this year’s inductee and a brief bio of his career in agriculture was presented. He is the ninth inductee into the Lake Butler Chapter Hall of Fame, which was started seven years ago at the 75th Annual Banquet. He joins the list of previous inductees, which includes Marvin Pritchett, Harlis Elixson, Shirly Kirby, Jimmy Brown, Mark Bracewell, Canova Howard, Lowell Shadd and Avery Roberts. A plaque with his name and likeness will be displayed along with these others in the Agricultural Education Building. Hendricks was joined on the stage by his family.
The next presentations were those for the Discovery, Greenhand and Chapter Degrees and was announced by Brittney McGee.
The Discovery Degrees were sponsored by Lake Butler Farm Center. Each recipient received a pin to commemorate their achievement. They were: Madison Adams, Layla Alexander, Mirani Andino, Ezekiel Baker, Jarred Bennett, Ava Bernal, Jacee Box, Michaela Burkley, Lillie Conner, Jamie Lynn Courson, Brylee Elixson, Cole Gaultney, Brooklyn Gay, Bronson Haight, Emma Handley, Kaelyn Hanna, Ja’Kari Hill, Mackenzi Huggins, Marcus Jefferson, Gabrielle Johnson, Travis Johnson, Evan Jones, Mia Kent, Bristol Lang, Rebecca Langkau, Bryce Lawton, Sierra Mohl, Carson Moss, Trent Nash, Kaitlyn Pafford, R.J. Paul, Cane Reddish, Bryson Roberts, Hayden Robinson, Layla Seale, Paislee Jo Stalnaker, Brianna Taylor, Brady Tetstone, Natalie Thames, Fisher Thomassen, Cali Tomlinson, Aaliyah Tucker, Grace Turknett, Madalynn Turknett, Nelson Ward, Saige Waters, Raynie Winters and Riley Woodland.
The Greenhand Degress were sponsored by Union County Farm Bureau. Those receiving their pins were: Esha Barnes, Sierra Bell, Wyatt Bradley, Landon Cason, Kierston Clemons, Jesse Dicks, Austin Douglas, Valerie Dupree, Shayna Durrance, Holly Halfacre, Delani Harden, Grace Hobson, Codi Huntley, Kenli Jenkins, Bella Johns, Peyton Kilgore, Makaylin Randolph, Vanessa Raymond, Tifton Roseke, Katelyn Seay, Kerissa Seay, Summer Shaw, Madison Starling, Jackson Thames, Bailey Varnes, Henry Williams, Tucker Williams, Macie Wilson and Riley Suggs.
The Chapter FFA Degrees were sponsored by Shatto Heating and Air, Inc. Those receiving their pins were: Darby Andrews, Nolan Biegley, Jenna Bielling, Sydney Box, Beth Crawford, Kutter Durrance, Brooke Goldie, Joseph Harris, Jordan Hendricks, Savannah Miller, Grace Newsome, Jordan Seay, Madison Starling, Gabe Tallman, Noah Williams, Tucker Williams, Bo Wilson and McKenzie Flick.
After musical entertainment from Saige Waters, Robinson turned the microphone over to Linsey Androlevich for the presentation of the Judging Team pins. Most notable among the judging teams were:
In the Proficiency Awards Area – Eli Hendricks was a Silver Emblem winner in the area of Landscape Management and Jackson Crook a Bronze Emblem winner in the area of Agriscience Research.
The Horse Judging Team competed at the National Competition and each member received a gold pin and the team placed 6th overall. Team members included: Cailynn Boggs, Ryleigh Rhoden, Michael Young, Krista Young, Brooke Goldie and Madison Starling.
The Poultry Team won their state contest last February and have a chance to compete in this year’s National Convention. Jackson Crook received a gold pin and Perry Johnson, Kyla Boney and Darby Andrews all received a silver pin.
The Ag Sales team also competed at the National Convention. They were recognized as third in the Nation. Team members included: Ella Dicks. Tanner Connell, Lily French and Reagan Robinson. Lily French was also recognized as 10th high individual in the nation.
The Food Science Team won at state and went on to compete at the National level where they placed third in the nation. Team members included: Meagan Beatty, Kindall Johnson, Hannah Sherrod, Laura Park and Parker Johnson. Park was also recognized as 5th high individual in the nation with Beatty recognized as 2nd high individual in the nation.
Androlevich announced the presentation of pins to all LBMS and UCHS chapter members who participated on a judging team and in individual events. A representative of W. W. Gay, which sponsored the CDE pins, came to the stage to assist in their presentation.
Receiving a pin in Prepared Public Speaking was Kindall Johnson, who placed 1st at the district contest and will represent the chapter at the State Convention in June.
For Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Rebecca Langkau, representing the LBMS chapter, who placed 2nd at the sub-district contest.
LBMS Chapter Creed Speaker was Ezekiel Baker. UCHS Chapter Creed Speaker was Holly Halfacre.
The senior chapter Parliamentary Procedure Awards were sponsored by Betsy Whitehead. The Senior Chapter of the Parliamentary Procedure Team won the District Contest, qualifying for state competition in June. Team members are: Ella Dicks, Reagan Robinson, Tanner Connell, Perry Johnson, Kindall Johnson, Cailynn Boggs, Kutter Durrance, Nolan Beigley, Macie Wilson, Abigail Williams and Joseph Harris. The Middle School Chapter Parliamentary Precedure Team also won the District Contest. Team members are: Kendyl Brannen, Ezekiel Baker, Mia Kent, Sierra Mohl, Cane Reddish, Hayden Robinson, Bayley Staier, Camryn Tempest and Brady Tetstone. The LBMS will also be competing in state competition this year.
The Middle School Opening and Closing Ceremonies Team won sub-district and district contests and will compete at the state level in June. Team members include: Ellie Boccanelli, Kendyl Brannen, Jamie Lynn Courson, Brylee Elixson, Gracelyn McGee, Hayden Robinson, Bayley Staier, Paislee Jo Stalnaker, Cali Tomlinson and Saige Waters.
The Agricultural Education Contest was held at UF in December 2022 with Grace Newson representing the chapter. She placed 4th in the event.
The Forestry Team placed 1st in the District and 4th at the state competition. Team members include: Michael Young, Madison Johnson, Hannah Sherrod, Reagan Robinson, Cailynn Boggs, Grace Newsome, Madison Starling and Shayna Durrance.
The LBMS Tool Identification Team competed in state last fall. Team members include: Kendyl Brannen, Cane Reddish, Bayley Staier, Brady Tetstone, Graysen Willis and Miley Wilson.
The LBMS Poultry Team competed at the Florida State Fairgrounds in February and brought home the state championship. Team members are: Marcus Jefferson, Addyson Kelley, Mia Kent, Grace Turknett, Madalynn Turknett and Miley Wilson. Wilson was the 2nd high individual of the contest.
The Tractor Driving Contest was held in February. Will Harden represented the chapter and placed 4th in the event.
The Horse Judging Team qualified out of 99 teams to compete at the preliminary contest at the Florida State Fair where they placed 39th. Team members are: Sierra Bell, Brooke Goldie, Grace Hobson and Jolene Moore.
The Senior Conduct of Chapter Meetings Team members are: Darby Andrews, Nolan Beighley, Kutter Durrance, Grace Newsome, Noah Williams, Tucker Williams and Adrienne Wolfe.
For the first time ever, Lake Butler FFA had a Veterinary Assisting Team. This team qualified for the state contest, where they placed 7th overall. Team members include: Shayna Durrance, Kindall Johnson, Perry Johnson, Darby Andrews and Leanne Dicks.
The Middle School Conduct of Chapter Meetings Team members include: Kendyl Brannen, Mia Kent, Bayley Staier, Brady Tetstone, Cali Tomlinson, Grayson Willis, Miley Wilson and Riley Woodland.
The Middle School Ornamental Horticulture Demonstrations in the Area of Consumer Use competition saw Madison Adams and Jamie Lynn Courson place third in district competition.
The Ag Sales and Services team placed 13th in the state. Team members include: Jenna Bielling, Joseph Harris, Bella Johns, Peyton Kilgore and Abigail Williams.
The Ag Issues Team will compete at State in June. Team members include: Cailynn Boggs, Kindall Johnson, Madison Johnson, Jordan Hendricks, Tanner Connell, Bailey Varnes, Reagan Robinson, Abigail Gainey and Riley Parrish.
The Agriculture Communications Team qualified for state in a preliminary round and went on to win the state competition. They will represent the chapter at National competition in October. Members include: Kindall Johnson, Madison Johnson, Perry Johnson, Reagan Robinson and Hannah Sherrod. Kindall was the high individual of the contest, Robinson and Sherrod were the 2nd high individuals and Sherrod was the 3rd high individual.
Pins were also presented to the young people who provided entertainment for the event. These were: Kendyl Brannen, Saige Waters and Ava Westmoreland.
Perry Johnson and Paislee Jo Stalnaker presented the Proficiency Awards, sponsored by Farm Credit of North Florida and Savannah Douglas. Each awardee received a medallion for their achievement. Proficiency Award winners were: Blake Agner (landscape management), Maegan Beatty (ag communications), Kendyl Brannen (feeder steer), Kindall Johnson (ag communications, feeder swine and vegetable production), Perry Johnson (feeder steer and veterinary science), Peyton Kilgore (feeder swine), Bobbi Jo Montford (forest management – a finalist in the area), Reagan Robinson (feeder swine), Bayley Staier (feeder swine) and Brady Tetstone (feeder steer).
Tanner Connell was awarded the Jace Bielling Promise of Agriculture Award by Pauline Bielling. The award included a plaque and $500.
Thirty members were awarded the Workhorse Award. The plaques were sponsored by: Badcock Home Furnishings and More, Clay Electric, Jesse Bielling, Russell and Deborah Gordon and Spires IGA. Sponsors for the cash awards of $50 per recipient were: Union Power, Allen Parrish, Hillandale, North Florida Custom Meats, Ashlyn Woodington, the Croft Family, Brian Franzluebbers, Jared Bielling, Daryl Brewer, Avery Roberts, Andrea Andrews Szabo, Adam Burgess, Clay Electric, Community State Bank, Billy and Pam Woodington, Amanda James, Clint Williams, Ashley O’Steen, Old Providence Farms/Shawn and Emily Newsom, Kyle and Taylor Parrish, Abi Ripplinger, Bielling Tire, Parrish Tractor Services/Branden Parrish and Mary Parrish. FFA members earning a Workhorse Award were: Blake Agner, Dayven Kelly, Karli Jenkins, Cailynn Boggs, Eli Elixson, Michael Young, Levi Vickers, Kody Stalnaker, Kutter Durrance, Jesse Dicks, Case Denson, Noah Williams, Jordan Seay, Caleb Zapp, Tanner Connell, Ava Westmoreland, Saige Waters, Kendyl Brannen, Caleb Ripplinger, Jenna Bielling, Grace Newsom, Blayne Hendricks, Tucker Williams, Sydney Box, Ezekiel Baker, Bayley Staier, Brady Tetstone, Miley Wilson, Layla Alexander, Mia Kent, Graysen Willis and Maggie Thomas.
Awards for the top sellers in the annual poinsettia sale were: 5th Place-Delani Harden (152 plants), 4th Place – Hannah Sherrod (160 plants), 3rd Place – Kindall Johnson (170 plants), 2nd Place – Tanner Connell (177 plants) and 1st Place – Peyton Kilgore (280 plants).
Outstanding members of each class were as follows: The outstanding 6th grade member, recieving a $50 check from the Bishop family was Gracelyn McGee. The outstanding 7th grade member, recieving a $50 check from Badcock was Jamie Lynn Courson. The outstanding 8th grade member, recieving a $50 check from TL Squared Builders is Bayley Staier. The Elite Eighth Grader honors, recieving a trophy and $100 from Allen and Carolyn Parrish, was Bayley Staier. The outstanding 9th grade member, recieving a $50 check from Sheriff Whitehead, was Peyton Kilgore. The outstanding 10th grade member, recieving a $50 check from Zeb and Georgie Howard, was Brooke Goldie. The outstanding 11th grade member, recieving a $50 check from Zeb and Georgie Howard, was Tanner Connell. The outstanding 12th grade member, recieving a $50 check from Zeb and Georgie Howard was Kindall Johnson.
Other awards and honors are as follows: the Star Discovery Award – Kendyl Brannen, the Star Greenhand Award – Darby Andrews, the Star Chapter Award – Tanner Connell, the Star Chapter Farmer Award – Perry Johnson (who recieved a plaque from Emerson Nursery and a $100 check from Pritchett Trucking), the Star Agricultural Placement Award – Perry Johnson (who also recieved a plaque from Emerson Plant Nursery and a $100 check from Pritchett Trucking), the Star Agribusiness Award – Blake Agner (who recieved a plaque from Emerson Plant Nursery and a $100 check from The Lavender House), the Star in Agriscience Award – Jackson Crook (who recieved a plaque from Emerson Plant Nursery and a $100 check from the Dukes family).
Middle School Chapter Scholarships, each member recieving a pin and a $50 check from that award’s sponsor, were: Kendyl Brannen (Pritchett Trucking), Miley Wilson (Terra Johnson), Brady Tetstone (Branden Parrish). High School Chapter Scholarhips, each member recieving a pin and a $50 check from that award’s sponsor, were: Rylie Parrish (Clay Electric), Madison Johnson (the Bishop Family) and Kindall Johnson (Seth Parrish).
The winners of the Middle School Chapter Leadership Awards, each recieving a pin and a check from that award’s sponsor were: Bayley Staier (Paul and Anisha Water/Another Fence Done), Kendyl Brannen (Austin Thomas) and Brady Tetstone (Josh Thomas). The winners of the High School Chapter Leadership awards, recieving a pin and a check from that award’s sponsor were: Madison Johnson (Caleb Williams), Reagan Robinson (Becky Raulerson) and Kindall Johnson (Jesse Bielling).
The Senior Awards are for graduating seniors who have earned an FFA letter, they are: Blake Agner, Ella Dicks, Colby Dukes, Cole Huntley, Kindall Johnson, Madison Johnson, Parker Johnson, Perry Johnson, Dayven Kelley, Emily Richards, Caleb Ripplinger, Reagan Robinson, Karly Shatto, Hannah Sherrod, Michael Young and Caleb Zapp. Graduating seniors earning State FFA Degrees, sponsored by Scott and Kelly Register, were Ella Dicks, Kindall Johnson, Madison Johnson, Perry Johnson, Reagan Robinson and Hannah Sherrod. The Superior Senior Award, sponsored by Audyn Woodington and Ashlyn Burtle, was awarded to Perry Johnson and included a trophy and a $200 check.
The scholarships awarded and their recipients were: Reagan Robinson – the Harlis Ellington Memorial Scholarship, Caleb Zapp – the Inaugural Mary Alice Ellington Memorial Scholarship, Meagan Beatty, Jace Bielling, Eli Hendricks, Harley Seay and Ciara Woodall – the American Degree Recognition in Memory of Larry Davison, Parker Johnson, Perry Johnson and Reagan Robinson – the Lori Nicole Anderson Memorial Scholarship. Meagan Beatty and Reagan Robinson – the Ford Scholarship (Ford Trucks and Murray Ford), Ella Dicks – the Shirley Kirby Memorial Scholarship, Reagan Robinson, Hannah Sherrod and Caleb Zapp – the Daniel Elixson Memorial Scholarship, Caleb Ripplinger and Hannah Sherrod – the Summer Crosby Memorial Scholarship, Hannah Sherrod and Reagan Robinson – the Hobo Tractor Scholarship, Perry Johnson – the Workhorse Scholarship, Perry Johnson – the Legacy Scholarship, Hannah Sherrod – the Servant Leader Scholarship, Perry Johnson – the Mike Ritch Memorial Scholarship and Kindall Johnson – the Union County Livestock Association Scholarship.
The event ended with the recognition of chapter officers and a slideshow of highlights from the past school year, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
