Local FFA Holds Annual Banquet, Announces New Officers

By MAGGIE MCMURRAY

Moapa Valley Progress

The Moapa Valley Chapter of the national FFA organization celebrated a year well-done at its annual end-of-year banquet held on May 10. The event is held as a combination goodbye celebration for outgoing members, a recognition banquet for achievements made during the year, and an induction ceremony for new officers.

All present were treated to a delicious dinner of Navajo tacos and fresh, homemade scones provided by the Glen and Cheryl Rawson family.

Recognition was given to FFA members who competed in this year’s zone and state competitions. Many MV chapter members placed highly in the zone competition and qualified for state. Competition teams that placed highly at the state level were the livestock judging team, the milk judging team, the ENR team, and the Best Informed Greenhand team, which took 3rd overall in the state.

The Moapa Valley Soils and Homesite teams were honored specifically for taking first at state and becoming the reigning Nevada State Champions. The championship team members were Emm Smedley, Whitney Wickersham, Ryan McMurray, Charles Bussey, and Shane Pulsipher.

State degree awards, the highest degree given to FFA members still in high school, were earned by 6 students: Madison Bush, Maylee Eide, Tatyana Bullock, Whitney Wickersham, Gavin Henrie, and Jalea Blasingame.

Star Chapter and Proficiency awards went to Cassidie Jones, Tatyana Bullock, Kelly Robison, Makae Pulsipher, and Shyanne Matheson.

The winner of the overall Star Greenhand award was Ryan McMurray and the winner of the overall Star Chapter award was Cassidie Jones.

A poignant part of the celebration was saying goodbye to the graduating seniors. Each graduating FFA member was given a beautiful commemorative medal and tassel that they can wear to graduation.
“Each one of you has made a contribution to our chapter and set a good example to the younger members,” FFA advisor Denise O’Toole told the seniors. “I started teaching AG when you were freshmen and I will truly miss you next year.”

Finally the new officers were announced for the upcoming year. The 2017-2018 officer team will include: Tatyana Bullock as president; Shyanne Matheson and Makae Pulsipher as co-vice presidents; Olivia Williams as secretary; Logan O’Toole as treasurer; Cassidie Jones as historian; Ryan McMurray as reporter; and Gavin Henrie as sentinel.

“I’m pretty sad to leave but I feel we had a very successful year,” said outgoing president Anna Stratton. “We had a great year participation-wise and look forward to growing and getting even better. We have a fantastic new officer team and they should have a great upcoming year.”
President-elect Tatyana Bullock said, “I am so excited for this opportunity. I hope to get more people involved in FFA. You can expect more school activities.”
Advisor Denise O’Toole said, “The students in FFA always amaze me. They exhibit the premier leadership skills that FFA teaches. ”