News : Benton Community FFA Members Earn Degree Advancements

Chapter Degree recipients present (from left to right) were Hannah Siek, JR Becker, Katilynn Guldner, Cade Volesky, Mililley Mason, Mo Brown, Marcus Ricklefs and Carson Palmer.

Greenhand Degree Recipients (See article for names)

Breck Coffland, Reporter

On November 20, the Benton Community FFA Chapter held their annual Degree Ceremonies and Family Night. This night is to recognize members earning their degrees through the National FFA Organization, and give thanks to the families of FFA members. There were 49 members that received their greenhand degree, and 10 members that earned their chapter degrees.

To earn the Greenhand Degree, hopeful recipients must be enrolled in an agricultural education and have satisfactory plans for a supervised agricultural experience (SAE), have basic knowledge of the FFA and have submitted a written application. The Greenhand recipients were: Wyatt Armstrong, Claire Becker, Isabella Becker, Tegan Bertka, Kessa Bigley, Trista Birely, Colton Bossler, Nekoda Coleman, Garrett Crawford, Yari Delgado, Drew Fillenworth, Kale Gallagher, Jackson Hartkemeyer, Ragan Hermsen, Andrew Hines, Courtney Hlas, Owen Hoyt, Hunter Jones, Weston Kaestner, Laurynn Kaiser, Jonathan Kruse, Garrett Kuch, Paxton Marak, Jackson Mather, Caleb McMahon, Sloan McVay, Hallie Niebes, Carson Nolan, Tait Osterkamp, Eli Patterson, Evan Patterson, Alana Phelan, Jackson Price, William Schanbacher, Amanda Schnor, Delaney Seeck, Sarah Selk, Jackson Silhanek, Sloane Slouha, Waukeen Streeter, Gage Tungesvik, Brandon Unkel, Caden Usher, Grant Volesky, Owen Von Ahsen, Kaci Voss, Alexandra Welte, Belle Werner, and Sam Zahradnik.

Earning the Chapter FFA degree means for a student to continue being enrolled in an agricultural education course, while advancing their SAE, showing advanced leadership skills, and participating in community service projects. The Chapter FFA Degree recipients were: Jonathon Becker, Morgan Brown, Katilynn Guldner, Mililley Mason, Carson Palmer, Ethan Perry, Marcus Ricklefs, Hannah Siek, Grace Ubben, and Cade Volesky.

Following the degree ceremonies, senior members, and their parents or guardians were invited to the stage for recognition and a gratuity speech was given by each of the members to give thanks to their support systems that got them through their years with the Benton Community FFA.

Greenhand Degree recipients pictured (from left to right) were Owen Von Ahsen, Tegan Bertka, Eli Patterson, Amanda Schnor, Grant Volesky, Alex Welte, Courtney Hlas, Evan Patterson, Hallie Niebes, Nekoda Coleman, Garrett Crawford, Hunter Jones, Sam Zahradnik, Colton Bossler, Weston Kaestner, Gage Tungesvik, and Jackson Hartkemeyer.