FFA chapter recognized

The Thermopolis FFA Chapter was recently recognized as a two-star chapter. Advisor Britton Van Heule said, “Being recognized as a two star chapter is definitely an honor. Our students work really in the areas of, Chapter, Community and Student development. We work hard every year to put on meaningful and educational activities for our students and community.

“Our chapter is defiantly honored with this acknowledgment.”

Members of the local chapter include: Freshmen Kamry Bowman, Jason Bowman, Layne Myers, Bronwyn Dobbins, Ally Taylor, Hallie Martinez, Shelby Vincent, Autumn Brawley, Jim Christensen, Will Clark, Eli McCumber, Cadence Steadman, Anthony Sword and Garrett Titmus; Sophomores Emme Norsworthy, Rebekah Johnson, Tatum Vialpando, Destiny Harris, Remington Ferree, Eli Dickey and Monte Love; Juniors Riley Shaffer, Audrey Axtell, Spencer Axtell, Hunter Bartholomew, Logan Shumway and Garrett Yetter; and Seniors Jeffery Van Antwerp, Chase White, Colton Dobbins, Dusty Barnes, Barb Kissel and Kiara Warman

Additionally, senior members VanAntwerp, Kissel, Warman, Dobbins and Barnes recently earned their State FFA degrees. Van Heule said, “I am really proud of our seniors, and all their hard work. Earning their state degree is great recognition for all of their hard work in FFA for the past four years.”

Kissel was also the recipient of the 2019 Region 2 Star Award in Agribusiness for her operation B Spear Club Lambs, which provides lambs to students for competitive showing. Regional star award recipients must have received the Wyoming FFA State Degree and complete an extensive record book detailing their supervised agriculture experience, also known an SAE. The Wyoming FFA state officers also conduct an on-site project visit with each regional star candidate and applications.

Van Heule also noted the Wyoming FFA Agriscience Fair had a record number of participants this year and out of the 14 schools that participated Thermopolis sent the most with 18. Fair results will be available later this year.

The Wyoming FFA Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters actively implementing the mission and strategies of the organization.

“Our chapter award program focuses on chapters that are engaged in growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture,” said Stacy Broda, Wyoming FFA State Advisor. “Chapters are evaluated on and recognized for providing valuable educational experiences for the entire membership.”

Chapters participate in an on-site evaluation by the Wyoming State FFA officers and submit a written application. The applications are evaluated by education and business professionals and are ranked as 1, 2 or 3-star chapters.

The top 10 percent of the chapters become eligible for Wyoming’s Chapter of the Year award. That award, said Broda, is presented to the chapter stands out both on paper and in real life.

“Wyoming’s Chapter of the Year is based on the entire body of work of the chapter, not just the quality of their application,” she said.

Wyoming FFA also recognizes the top chapters with innovative activities in each of three divisions: growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.

The Shoshoni FFA Chapter was recognized as a three-star chapter and Chapter of the Year Finalist, and Meg DeBolt of the Chief Washakie FFA chapter was a Regional Star Award recipient in Agribusiness.

Chapters will receive their awards at the 2019 Wyoming FFA State Convention on April 10 in Cheyenne.