Thermopolis FFA Chapter hands out awards

The 2023-2024 Annual Thermopolis FFA Banquet and Appreciation Dinner was held last week where members and citizens were honored for their achievements and contributions to the program.

President Tymber Eckley welcomed the crowd and thanked them for attending. Other officers present were Sentinel Madison Shaffer, Reporter, Nevaeh Brill, Treasurer Lance Axtell, Secretary Brooke Hubele and Vice President Hayden Overfield. Chapter advisor is Britton Van Heule, assistant advisor is Jessie Ream and Riley Jeffs is assistant teacher.

The senior class members, escorted by their parents, were recognized including Porter McCumber, Simon Ream, Kale Odell, Chase Herring, Jayda Griffin, Tucker Lake and Kaitlin Barral.

This year, the chapter reached a Silver ranking at the state level. State convention awards were handed out. State level awards were previously announced earlier in the Independent Record.

A.M. Hartwig was the very first ag teacher at Hot Springs County High School in 1938. In honor of his outstanding influence on the Hot Springs County High School Agriculture Education Program, individuals were recognized who have gone above and beyond to support the Thermopolis FFA Chapter and its members including Riley Jeffs, Linda McCumber, Sherman Skelton, Chip and Jennifer Axtell, Dave and Sadie Eckley, Ken Ivie, Tatum Epperson, Dawn Peil, Ryan Roybal, Kaila Jones, Cassie Owsley, Philip Scheel, Trinia Slover, Bobbi and Heath Overfield, and Jessie and Tom Ream.

Over the past year, many FFA members have shown leadership in many different ways. With all the activities that the FFA chapter has taken on, these members have shown that they have what it takes to be dedicated to the largest youth organization in the country. The chapter strives to develop and train leaders, and these young individuals have proven to us that they are destined for great things. The following members have shown amazing leadership and have been awarded the leadership award: freshman - Chloee Owsley, sophomore - Kaycee Stothart, junior - Hanna Hill and senior - Jayda Griffin.

Honorary FFA members are farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of boards of education, chapter advisors, teachers, staff members in agriculture education, business people, and others who have rendered outstanding service. They are elected by the majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting. This year's inductees are: Kelly and Lance Odell, Amber and Bob Kimes, Ashley and Bryan Griffin, Robin and Jerry Lake, Heather Herring and Joe Herring.

Becoming the Star Greenhand is a huge honor that we give to one outstanding freshman each year, as a way of congratulating them for their stellar first year in high school. This member has competed in meats judging, conduct of chapter meetings and made the poultry team. Alec Martinez was selected as Greenhand star in Agriscience.

Freshmen recognized for their achievements were: Ava Dafoe as rising star agribusiness and Ella Slover as rising star in placement.

Each year a committee selects students that have outstanding S.A.E.'s for local star awards they include: Continuing Star Sophomore - Kaycee Stothart and Outstanding Star Junior - Rylee Agar.

Tucker Lake, Kaitlin Barral, Simon Ream, Chase Herring, Kale Odell, Jayda Griffin and Porter McCumber were recognized for receiving their state degrees.

Star awards included:

Tucker Lake who works on a cattle ranch so he can obtain grazing land for his sheep operation. His sheep operation contains 40 ewes and produces a lamb crop of 60-70 yearly. This project has also provided valuable knowledge of how the business world works. Tucker worked hand in hand with his family to make this project possible. Tucker was recognized as the Region 2 Star in Agribusiness. He was also recognized as Star Chapter Farmer.

Star in Ag Placement is Simon Ream. Simon is a skilled diesel mechanic and a dedicated laborer at his job. He has been actively involved in diagnosing and repairing various components. This includes hydraulic systems, fuel systems, combustion chambers, exhaust systems, electronic circuit systems, wheel and tire assemblies, and intricate air systems. He works on agriculture equipment and construction equipment, some equipment he works on is cattle pots, ag tractors, semi trucks, mixers, and other heavy construction equipment. Simon won his proficiency award at the state convention, and will be submitting his application to nationals. He was also recognized him as the Chapter Star in Ag Placement.

Members recognized for lettering in FFA include: Freshman Ryan Axtell, Tannen Birdsley, Ava Dafoe, Layla Epperson, Summer Galovich, Morgan Jones, Alec Martinez, Chloee Owsley, Kaden Scheel, Ella Slover and Camden Weyer; sophomores Cody Bomengen, Lainie Boren, Kamryn Farrell, Taylor Ivie, Mesa Longwell, Maile McCumber, Jayssie Owsley, Bridger Peil, Korbin Brill, Jay Ritchey, Camille Rodriquez, Madison Shaffer, Alix Sorensen and Kaycee Stothart; juniors Rylee Agar, Taylor Agar, Lance Axtell, Patrick Chapel-Rawhouser, Tera Kraushaar, Ty Mann, Tymber Eckley, Nevaeh Brill, Brooke Hubele, Hanna Hill and Hayden Overfield; seniors Kaitlin Barral-Littleshield, Jayda Griffin, Tucker Lake, Porter McCumber, Kale Odell-Bloedel, Simon Ream and Chase Herring.

Each year a panel of three community members and two graduating senior members help elect a new officer team. This year's panel included Tucker Lake, Kaitlin Barral, Jessie Anderson, Erika Peringer and Clay Van Antwerp. New officers are: Korbin Brill, Hayden Overfield, Tera Kraushaar, Ryan Axtell, Madison Shaffer, Tymber Eckley, Mac McCumber, Ava Dafoe and Alec Martinez.

The next event up for the Thermopolis FFA Chapter is their work sale is Monday, May 20 at 5:30 PM at the Ag Shop.