From BOWLING GREEN HIGH SCHOOL
In April, Bowling Green FFA members, parents, and community supporters came together and celebrated 95 years of Bowling Green FFA. The chapter also had the opportunity to celebrate that the chapter was named a top chapter, not only in the state of Ohio, but a top chapter in the nation. The banquet consisted of a meal and an awards ceremony. The meal for the 2026 banquet was served buffet-style by Nazareth Hall.
The awards ceremony started with announcing the honorary degrees. There were a total of four degrees awarded. Levi Richards, Elite Collegiate Apparel, Karol Kampe, and Ag Credit have all supported the Bowling Green FFA and its members.
The Blue and Gold Award is given to a faculty member, administrator, or employee of the Bowling Green School District. This award recognizes a person that has promoted or supported the FFA in a multitude of ways. This year’s recipient is Jeff Nichols. He has been an advocate and supporter his whole career at the high school. Nichols stated in his speech that FFA is the best organization in the school. He believes the FFA is an amazing program.
The ceremony also allowed the chapter to recognize Proficiency Award winners. These awards are given to members in recognition of outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. The 2026 winners were:
- Agricultural mechanics design and fabrication – Tyler Schwind
- Ag mechanics repair and maintenance – Brody Garman
- Ag processing – Aidan Thomas
- Ag sales – Shawn Carney, Grace O’Connell, and Cadence Litchfield
- Ag services – Addison Schurger and Grace Swaisgood
- Diversified crop – Casey Naus
- Equine science – Laina Schmeltz
- Goat production – Darla Davis
- Outdoor recreation – Lily Rader
- Poultry production – Lacey Richter and Addison Schurger
- Service learning – Emma Nester and Olivia Rogers
- Small animal production and care – Kiersten Hendricks
- Swine production – Isabella Belleville
- Turf and landscape maintenance – Gavin Roessner, Owen Foos, and Quentin Foos
- Vegetable production – Kelsey Kline
The next award that was presented was the Jamie Belleville Beef Award. Jamie Belleville was a four year member of the Bowling Green FFA and held the office of president his senior year, 1964-65. Belleville and his brother, Mike, raised beef cattle and owned a meat processing plant and a retail market, Belleville Brothers Market. The award is a $300 scholarship to support a member of Bowling Green FFA who is taking a beef project to the Wood County Fair. The recipient of this year’s award was Quentin Foos.
Bowling Green FFA members were also presented with the Chapter Awards. These are presented to members who excel in the areas specified by each award which are:
- Star Greenhand – Kate Conway and Hayley Miller
- Star Agriscience – Kiersten Hendricks (sponsor: Wood County SWCD)
- Star Ag Placement – Tyler Schwind (sponsors: Gene and Rita Klotz)
- Ag Credit 110% Award – Grace O’Connell (sponsor: Ag Credit)
- Outstanding Senior Award – Shawn Carney (sponsors: Mike and the late Mary Lou Shertzer)
- Star Accounting Award – Casey Naus (sponsor: Wesbanco Bank)
- Spirit of FFA Award
- Freshmen – Ella Bechstein, Ava Manley, Mason Richmond, and Mason Naus
- Sophomores – James Mahlman, Lily Rader, Ellery Rhodes, Olivia Rogers, and Emma Nester
- Juniors – Addie Brokaw, Konner Chambers, Maddie Evans, and Owen Foos
- Seniors – Lexie Bechstein, Kate Howick, Addison Schurger, Ruby Suter, and Lilly Wilkie
- Belleville Beef Award – Quentin Foos
- Honorary Degrees – Levi Richards, Elite Collegiate Apparel, Karol Kampe, Ag Credit
- Blue and Gold Award – Jeff Nichols
BG FFA Alumni and Friends scholarship recipients were:
- Gold – Gavin Roessner and Shawn Carney
- Silver – Kiersten Hendricks and Casey Naus
In 2026, there were three candidates for the American FFA Degree. The American Degree is the highest degree attainable by an FFA member. It is based on SAE projects and FFA leadership. Drew Thomas, Addie Naus, and Natalie Harris were this year’s candidates. There were also two candidates for the State FFA Degree – Gavin Roessner and Casey Naus. They received their degrees at the state FFA convention on May 1.
The night ended with the introduction of Bowling Green FFA’s 2026-27 officer team:
- President – Isabella Belleville
- Vice-president – Addie Brokaw
- Secretary – Darla Davis
- Treasurer – Emma Nester
- Reporter – Aidan Thomas
- Historian – Kylah Crawford
- Sentinel – Orlando Alvarez
- Student advisor – Ellery Rhodes
The banquet is the last big FFA event for the school year, therefore the last for the seniors. While they may be leaving, they have all contributed to the FFA chapter. The new officer team is ready to continue the traditions and carry on the legacy to take the Bowling Green FFA to the next level.
Bowling Green FFA is a satellite program of Penta Career Center.
