News : Wrapping Up the Year in V-S FFA with the Awards Banquet!

2025-26 officer team: (Top Left) Advisor, Gabby Power, Secretary Sophia Newton, Treasurer Levi Lutz, Vice-President Ciara Dods, President Will McKenna, (Bottom Left) Co-Reporter Bri Dulin, Officer at Large Cole Birker, Sentinel Zoey McClintock, Co-Reporte

Members posing after a successful banquet!

Outstanding classmen receiving their awards: (Far Left) Wes Lacey, Wyatt Shaver, Zoey McClintock, Jessen Demuth, Sophia Newton, Will McKenna, and Andrew Pingenot.

Members receiving their awards from all their hard work in contests this year!

Alumni members: (Far Left) Nichole McKenna, Anna Demuth, Steven Henry, Jenni Birker, Kelli McClintock, and Grayce McClintock proudly working the “Bevvy Bar”!

Members and guests enjoying an amazing meal provided by “Merchants Grilling”!

By Co-Reporter, Izzie Birker

The annual Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Awards Banquet was held on Saturday, March 3rd. President Andrew Pingenot opened the evening by welcoming guests and thanking them for their support. Officer at Large Bri Dulin gave the blessing, and the meal was catered by Merchant's Grilling with cupcakes from Susan Meyer, and soda bar run by the Alumni & Supporters members who also conducted a silent auction during the dinner to raise funds for chapter activities.

Following dinner, the ceremony began with the opening ceremonies of the retiring officers, followed with the FFA Creed given by Katelyn Fleming. 102 supporters were recognized with Appreciation Awards for their efforts such as helping with the chapter's crop plot, contest judging, chapter officer elections, general assistance throughout the year, and the volunteer auction. Leadership-Merit Awards were then handed out to 51 members who met the point requirements based on participation. Next, 21 members were honored as committee chairs for leading efforts in the chapter's Program of Activities.

Awards and certificates were given to participants in Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events throughout the year and several members were recognized for serving above the chapter level on committees, offices, band, in addition to their participation in the county and state fair. Seven upperclassmen were recognized for receiving their Iowa Degree, including: Jazmyn Dods, Andrew Pingenot, Izzie Birker, Brody Waters, Cooper McClintock, Will McKenna, and Alana Fleming.

Academic Achievement Awards went to seven seniors with GPAs of 3.5 or higher including: Lucas Birker, Sadie Burke, Alana Fleming, Brody Waters, Izzie Birker, Megan Schlitter, and Andrew Pingenot. Class Scholars were recognized as the following; Freshman: Jenna Grovert, Nora Grovert, Zoey McClintock; Sophomore: Ciara Dods, Eleanor Moen; Junior: Ben Buhr; Senior: Alana Fleming.

Then, the chapter's results at the state level through the National Chapter Award Program were announced as fifth place and silver through the Ambassador Award program. Honorary FFA Degrees were bestowed upon Brent Gater and Leon Schwenker for their ongoing support of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA. Proficiency Awards recognized excellence in members' Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs). Three members received recognition at the state level: Izzie Birker received a 2nd Silver in Service Learning, Andrew Pingenot earned Gold in Ag Services, and Ben Buhr who won 1st Gold in Diversified Ag Production.

At the local level, seven members received proficiency awards in various areas: Diversified Ag Production: Ben Buhr, Equine Science: Jameson Demuth, Beef Production: Levi Lutz, Ag Sales: Andrew Pingenot, Goat Production: Megan Schlitter, Small Animal Production and Care: Bridgette Castle, and Ag Mechanics Design and Fabrication: Kirsten Pettit.

The banquet continued with the announcement of Star Awards. Abby McKenna was named Star Greenhand, Austin Noe was Star Chapter Farmer, Andrew Pingenot received the Star in Agribusiness, and Megan Schlitter was named the Star in Ag Placement. After that Outstanding Classmen were recognized by grade; 6th: Jessen Demuth, 7th: Wes Lacey, 8th: Wyatt Shaver, 9th: Zoey McClintock, 10th: Sophia Newton, 11th: Will McKenna, 12th: Andrew Pingenot. Ben Buhr was named the SAE Award recipient and Alana Fleming was awarded the Senior Service award.

Several scholarships were then announced.

-Kirsten Petit and Madeline Pingenot each will receive a $1,000 scholarship for their participation in the Iowa Youth Institute.

-Izzie Birker received the DeKalb Award.

-Andrew Pingenot received the $750 Farmers Savings Bank and Trust Scholarship.

-Izzie Birker was awarded the $500 Ross and Shirley Wiley Scholarship.

-The $1,000 Advisor's Scholarship was given to Andrew Pingenot.

-The Duane Fisher Memorial Scholarship from the National FFA Organzation for $100 went to Jazmyn Dods.

-The $500 Crop Plot Scholarships were awarded to Brody Waters, Alana Fleming, and Jazmyn Dods.

Finally, Co-Reporter Izzie Birker presented the Year in Review video, capturing the chapter's memorable moments and achievements through the year of hard work. Parents were recognized and then seniors Izzie Birker, Carlie Clark, Jazmyn Dods, Dallas Fairbanks, Alana Fleming, Evan Lopata, Juliana Luis, Austin Noe, Andrew Pingenot, Megan Schlitter, Brody Waters, and Spencer Williams were recognized by their parents for their dedication and commitment to FFA.

Prior to adjournment, the 2025-2026 FFA Officer Team was announced: President: Will McKenna, Vice President: Ciara Dods, Secretary: Sophia Newton, Treasurer: Levi Lutz, Co-Reporters: Abby McKenna and Bri Dulin, Sentinel: Zoey McClintock, and Officer at Large: Cole Birker.

Congratulations to all award recipients, graduates, and the new officer team. We look forward to another successful year ahead in Vinton-Shellsburg FFA!