New London students recognized

By Carolynn Backes, FFA Reporter

The New London FFA held its annual award ceremony on May 1 at New London High School.

The 2021-22 officers led the ceremony. They were President Claire Duch, Vice Presidents Abigail Weyland and Lora Korth, Secretary Heidi Weyland, Treasurer Brooke Casey, Reporter Rachel Weyland, and Sentinel Eric Margita.

The 2022-23 officer team is President Heid Weyland, Vice President Wyatt Adamovich, Secretary Hanna Gorman, Treasurer Kimberly Murphy, Reporter Carolynn Backes, Sentinel Evan Retzlaff.

Students in PALS (Partners in Active Learning Support) were recognized. Through this program, middle school students learn about the nine pathways in agriculture.

Middle school members were then awarded the Discovery Degree, which is given to first-year FFA members who have learned about what the FFA does and can describe opportunities found through the National FFA.

This year’s recipients were Caleb Bauer, Annaleigha Brasch, Tyler Gonnering, Taylor Klotzbuecher, Brandi Mohnen, Elizabeth Murphy, Onan Retzlaff, Sophia Schultz, Alyssa Stoll.

The chapter recognized Elizabeth Murphy as this year’s most outstanding middle school member with the Star Discovery Award.

First-year high school FFA members earned their Greenhand degree. They have demonstrated knowledge of what the FFA does and have participated in some events, planned or started an SAE, and have one agriculture class. The following people were recipients of the Greenhand Degree: Carolynn Backes, Brooke Christman, Ethan Eidenberger, Henry Heideman, Brody Hillman, Lily Hoffman, Claire Klotzbuecher, Austin Lucier, Kimberly Murphy, Jayla Pagel, Evan Retzlaff, Brya Schmidt, Raquel Welch, Robert Weyland and Morgan Williams.

The chapter recognizes Evan Retzlaff as the most outstanding first-year high school member with a Star Greenhand Award.

The Chapter FFA Degree went to Wyatt Adamovich, Lillian Arrowood, Alexis Chrudinsky, Jaylynn Dallman, Jessica Flocker, Hanna Gorman, Alexis Kanaman, Eric Margita, Samantha Prahl and Sydney Tews.

Two seniors were also awarded chapter stars for their outstanding work in their SAE project. Lora Korth received the Chapter Star Farmer and Claire Duch received the Chapter Star In Agricultural Placement.

Every year the New London FFA gives one student the Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award. This individual shows scholarship commitment, excellent work ethic and encourages others to be a part of agriculture. This award is sponsored by Monsanto and was presented to Lora Korth.

The following students participated in Career Development Events at the World Dairy Expo, UW-Platteville and at the state level in Madison:

Ag Mechanics

Tyler Gonnering, Ethan Eidenberger, Henry Heideman, Eric Margita, Ashtyn Seburg – eighth at Platteville and 14th at state; RJ Weyland –
seventh at Platteville,

Dairy Cattle

Jaylynn Dallman, Lora Korth – seventh at Platteville, 63rd at WDE, and competed at state; Evan Retzlaff, Danielle Tank, Kimberly Murphy – fifth at Platteville,

Dairy Showman

Sam Prahl participated at state and Lora Korth third at WDE.

Equine Evaluation

Alexis Chrudinsky, Taylor Klotzbeucher, Morgan O’Brien, Allaina Pionke, and Morgan Williams – sixth at Platteville and 15th at state.

Livestock Evaluation

Claire Duch, Elizabeth Murphy, Onan Retzlaff and Rachel Weyland – participated at Platteville.

Poultry Evaluation

Wyatt Adamovich, Jordan Bethke, Brooke Christman – fourth at Platteville and fourth at state; Hanna Gorman, and Evan Retzlaff – fifth at Platteville.

Veterinary Science

The New London FFA team placed second at Platteville, first at state and is advancing to Nationals; Brooke Casey – first at Platteville and second at state; Rachel Weyland – third at Platteville and first at state; Jake Flocker – sixth at state.

Wildlife

Lillian Arrowood, Sydney Tews and Raquel Welch participated in Platteville.

Meat Evaluation

Carolynn Backes and Alexis Kanaman – third at Platteville and fifth at state; Abigail Weyland and Heidi Weyland – sixth at Platteville, .

Agronomy

Zach Korth, Owen Margita, Danielle Tank, Abigail Weyland and Hanna Gorman – participants at Platteville and state, seventh at WDE.

Farm Business Management

The New London FFA team – second at Platteville, first at state and advancing to Nationals; Hanna Gorman – sixth at Platteville, Lora Korth – eighth at state; Owen Margita, Abigail Weyland – fifth at Platteville and seventh at state.

State FFA Degrees

FFA members who committed over 1,000 hours or $1,000 in their SAE as well as gave agriculture speeches, participated in agriculture courses, demonstrated parliamentary procedure and performed community service received their State FFA Degrees in June at the State FFA convention. These individuals are Brooke Casey, Claire Duch, and Rachel Weyland. Claire Duch is also a finalist for Star Over Wisconsin in Agricultural Placement and Rachel Weyland is a candidate for Wisconsin Star Farmer.