05/06/2025
FFA has wrapped up the school year with the spring banquet
By: Journey Wagner, LJ FFA Chapter Reporter
On Monday, May 5th, the Lone Jack FFA chapter finished the school year with the Spring awards ceremony, which had many notable moments, with the success of the chapter this year. 55 guests and 18 members were present for the ceremony.
The ceremony started with opening ceremonies and a slideshow put together by the reporter Emily Wickham. Greenhand and Chapter degree recipients were recognized once again for the achievements they had received in the fall. FFA member Mylee Joiner was recognized for earning the Area FFA Degree and members Hunter Gohdes, Lane Breshears, and Nate McLaughlin for achieving their state degrees, receiving the gold chain to display on their FFA jackets.
Every year, the FFA chapter awards an Honorary Chapter degree, which is given to an individual outside of the FFA chapter who has helped the FFA with various things throughout the year. This year's recipient was Isaac Cole who helped design and create this year's trap shooting hats for the team.
Career development events are a staple in the FFA, and this year, FFA took a poultry, horse, ag mechanic, and farm management team to districts, and the Farm management team took first overall, which qualified their team for state. They placed 11th at state with Ben Lidberg and Lane Breshears being in the gold tier, and Nate McLaughlin in the silver tier. Ben Lidberg also participated in an extemporaneous public speaking contest through a Leadership development event.
SAE proficiency awards are related to an FFA student's projects or jobs that are handled outside of the classroom, and the chapter had 13 applicants apply for area awards, of which 8 received recognition by placing in the top three. Sadie Decker was even recognized on stage at the State convention for receiving a state proficiency award.
Our trap team had a good year, and on Saturday, May 3 the team took 5 members to Linn Creek for the state trap shoot.
Chapter Leadership awards were given to the most active members in the chapterās activities throughout the year. The top eight students were Nate McLaughlin, Ben Lidberg, Hunter Gohdes, Jaelyn McDonald, Sadie Decker, Aiden McDonald, Emily Wickham, and the most active member of the year was Mylee Joiner.
Chapter scholarships are given to students who maintained a 90% grade point average through the year in Ag class and were given out to 9 students.
Star Awards were given to top members based on a combination of their SAE, GPA, and demonstrated leadership abilities. Star Greenhand- Sam Cole, Star chapter farmer- Aiden McDonald, Star in agriculture placement- Hunter Gohdes, Star in Ag business- Maverick Trammell.
The FFA chapter sent off seven seniors this year, six were officers for the chapter this year, and Hunter Gohdes was recognized with the senior excellence award.
The graduating seniors Sadie Decker, Lane Breshears, Nate McLaughlin, Emily Wickham, Hunter Gohdes, Ben Lidberg, and Jaelyn McDonald all had the opportunity to to have the microphone for a brief āsenior sendoffā where they could speak directly to their classmates, families and chapter.
The last thing that the ceremony did was install the new slate of officers for the next school year. President- Mylee Joiner, Vice President- Maverick Trammell, Secretary- Aiden McDonald, Treasurer- Ryan Kindall, Reporter- Journey Wagner, Sentinel- Cash Hale
Lone Jack Activities Department
Lone Jack Middle and High School
