After two long years, the Bowling Green FFA members, parents and community supporters were finally able to come together and hold an in-person annual banquet, celebrating 91 years of Bowling Green FFA.
The chapter had the opportunity to celebrate the fact that the Bowling Green FFA 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 this year’s banquet was catered by Nazareth Hall.
The awards ceremony started with announcing the honorary degrees, there were a total of three degrees awarded. The first recipient was Austin Fiebelkorn. Fiebelkorn is an alumni member of the Bowling Green FFA Chapter. He has supported the FFA chapter by volunteering his time and equipment to plant and harvest the Agriscience Land Lab for the past 6 years. The chapter appreciates Fiebelkorn’s help in providing a valuable learning tool for our members.
The second award recipient was Mark Wensink. Wensink plays a crucial role in the organization of the Wood County Fair Tractor Operator’s contest over the years. Wensink not only helps organize the use of the tractors to make the competition possible but he also volunteers his time to judge. We are proud to have Mr. Wensink as both an alumnus and honorary member of our chapter.
Doug Laborie was also selected as an honorary member this year. Laborie gives his time and equipment to engrave the benches that the chapter constructs for the Wood County Fairgrounds. With his help, the chapter is able to provide a proper tribute to those whose names adorn the benches.
This year’s Blue and Gold award was given to Bowling Green High Schools custodian, Austin Luedeke. Whether it is helping set up or tear down our many FFA events, Luedeke is one of our most essential supporters. Without the help of Luedeke many of the FFA events wouldn’t be possible.
The ceremony also allowed for the chapter to recognize Proficiency Award winners. Proficiency Awards are given to members in recognition of outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. Kennedi Hendricks won the Agricultural Communications and Sheep Production awards. Both MJ Walters and Nathan Harris received the Agricultural Mechanics Repair award. Nathan also won the Diversified Agricultural Production award. Members Peyton Bosworth, Arika Adams, and Emma Walker received the Ag Processing award.
The winner of the Ag Sales award was Gretchen Germann. She also received the Diversified Horticulture award. Bryce Ebersbach was awarded with the Ag Services award. The Beef Production award, sponsored by Brian and Stacie Anderson, was awarded to Madison Carrillo and Henry Strow. The Dairy Production award was received by members Laney Crawford, Eddie Eschedor, and Tyler Bowen. Easton Schick won the Diversified Livestock award.
Amanda Mantel received the Forest Management and Products award. The Goat Production awards was received by Kenzie Spangenberg. Brian Tussing and Arika Adams received the Landscape Management award. Both Wyatt Bechstein and Zack Bechstein received the Poultry Production awards.
Jaycob Bagrowski won the Service Learning award. Drew Thomas received the Sheep Production award. The Small Animal Production and Care awards was received by Makenzie Hanthorn. Emma Ferguson received the Specialty Crop Production. The final award went to Alex Lorenzen in Turf Grass Management.
A new award that was presented this year 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, 1964-1965. Agriculture was a huge part of his life, he co-owned the family farm with his brother Mike. They raised beef cattle and owned a meat processing plant and a retail market, Belleville Brothers Market, in Bowling Green. Jamie would be honored to support a member of Bowling Green FFA who is taking a beef project to the Wood County Fair. The “Jamie Belleville Beef Award” is a $300 scholarship awarded to a deserving student in his honor. The recipient of this year’s inaugural Jamie Belleville Beef award was Nathan Harris.
The members were also presented with the Chapter Awards. These are presented to members who excel in the areas specified by each award which are:
- The Star Greenhand Award, sponsored by Legacy Cooperative and Stacie Anderson, went to first year members Addie Naus and Kaylee Bishop.
- Star Agriscience Award, sponsored by the Wood County and Soil District, went to Kennedi Hendricks.
- Star Chapter Farmer Award went to Nathan Harris, which was sponsored by Mark and Melissa Desmith.
- The Star Ag Placement Award was awarded to Gretchen Germann, which was sponsored by Gene and Rita Klotz.
- The Ag Credit 110% Award, sponsored by Ag Credit was given to Emma Walker for her hard work throughout her time in the chapter.
- The Outstanding Senior Award, sponsored by Mike and the late Mary Lou Shertzer, was awarded to Arika Adams.
- The Star Accounting Award went to Brian Tussing and was sponsored by Premier Bank.
- The Spirit of FFA award is presented to members in each grade level who go above and beyond in their endeavors in the FFA. All of these awards are sponsored by Dr. John Hartman.
The Freshman winners were Clare Tussing, Emma Thompson, and Molly Ruthenberg.
The Sophomore winners were Kate Suter, Aiden Meyer, Makenzie Hanthorn, and Garrett Bateson.
The Junior winners were Laney Crawford, Madison Carrillo, Audrey Geyman, and Easton Schick.
The Senior winners were Amanda Mantel, Tyler Bowen, and Jaycob Bagrowski.
This year’s Senior Scholarships were awarded to seven deserving students of the graduating class of 2022. The Bronze Scholarship was awarded to Nathan Harris and Amanda Mantel. The Silver Scholarship was awarded to Emma Walker, Kennedi Hendricks, and Brian Tussing. Finally, the Gold Scholarship was awarded to Arika Adams and Gretchan Germann.
The night ended with the induction of BG FFAs 2022-2023 officer team:
- President – Eddie Eschedor
- Vice President – Emma Ferguson
- Secretary – Lindsay Eisel
- Treasurer – Peyton Bosworth
- Reporter – Kenzie Spangenberg
- Sentinel – Hunter Sockman
- Student Advisor – Drew Thomas
The banquet is the last big FFA event for the school year, therefore the last for the seniors. As it is sad to see them go they have all contributed so much to the FFA Chapter, and 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.
