Hickey to lead local chapter
The 79th annual FFA Banquet took place last month, in the Weyauwega-Fremont High School Auditorium.

The event included a meal, speeches, awards and the installation of the 2015-16 officer team.

Kandi Martin, the district curriculum director; Jeremy Schroeder, the middle and high school principal; and Alison Wedig, the state FFA president, spoke.

The chapter presented the Distinguished Service Award to Schroeder and the Honorary FFA Degree to Doug and Brenda Hillskotter.

A number of students received FFA degrees.

Those degrees included the Discovery Degree, Greenhand Degree and Chapter FFA Degree.

Recognized for receiving their state FFA degree were Ryan Ebert, Kaitlyn Hickey, Brandon Hanes and Olivia Kester.

This fall, Maggie Lind, Georgia Radtke and Alexis Kloehn will be recognized at the national convention for receiving their American FFA degrees.

Some members of the local chapter received Star awards during the banquet.

They included Alicia Lederhaus, Outstanding Seventh Grader; Joan Radtke, Star Discovery; Kyle Loehrke, Star Greenhand; and Hannah Sroka, Star Chapter.

The Outstanding Junior Award went to Kaitlyn Hickey and the Outstanding Senior to Liz Hillskotter and Olivia Kester. Hillskotter also received the Community Service Award.

Ebert received the Leadership Award.

Nine members of the chapter received State Golds on their proficiency awards with GeorgiA Radtke winning the State FFA Proficiency Award in Home and Community Development.

Several students earned a gold placing, including Hillskotter for Agricultural Education and Home and Community Development, Hanes for Agricultural Processing, Kloehn for Beef Production, Jesse LaMie for Forage Production, Taylor Miller for Poultry Production, Ebert for Specialty Animal Production and Sroka for Vegetable Production.

Many students also earned silvers on their Proficiencies, including Hickey, Loehrke, Glenn Walburn, Brie Larsen, Kester, Ebert, Karlie Grundman and Michael Schroeder.

Seniors who received their state FFA degrees also received FFA honor cords to wear at graduation.

Hillskotter, Kester and Miller received cords.

In addition, Hillskotter received a $1,000 Abe Cohen Scholarship, a $1,000 National FFA Scholarship and a $250 Christy Brewer Scholarship.

Kester received a $1,000 Abe Cohen Scholarship and a $1,000 Larson Co-op Scholarship.

Katie Loehrke, Sarah Fields and Madison Lantvit received Most Improved awards.

The chapter also recognized students who participated in the CDE’s, speaking contests and had outstanding grade point averages.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the FFA slideshow, which showcased events from throughout the year.
The banquet concluded with the election of the 2015-16 officer team.

The high school officers are Kaitlyn Hickey, president; Ryan Ebert and Hannah Sroka, vice presidents; Jenna Mathwig, secretary; Alex Bartel, treasurer; Madison Lantvit, reporter; Jesse LaMie, sentinel; Karlie Grundman, historian; and Sarah Fields, parliamentarian.

The middle school officers are Katie Bleck, president; Katy Monty and Twyla Alix, vice presidents; Teagon Kukkukon, secretary; Julia Rice, treasurer; Alicia Lederhaus, sentinel; and Josie Kicherer, sentinel.

The chapter extended its appreciation to the parents, administrators, teachers, staff, alumni, businesses and community members who supported it this year and congratulated the members who received awards.