76th Annual Sulphur Springs FFA Banquet
Honors Students and Awards Excellence

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Somer Gregory, President of the Sulphur Springs FFA Chapter, presided over Thursday
night's annual banquet.

 

In what has become a community tradition, the members of the Sulphur Springs FFA Chapter hosted the 76th Annual Parent-Member Banquet, Thursday night, in the SSHS Cafeteria, to recognize those students who excelled in the program for the past year and to honor parents and supporters. "We're working toward our centennial year!" advised longtime vocational agriculture teacher, Dannie Johnson, as he presented a number of the proficiency awards.

2008-09 Chapter President, Somer Gregory, presided over Thursday night's banquet, that was catered by Big Smith BBQ. "We are here to recognize the students that have achieved excellence in their fields of study and have gone above and beyond the requirements for these awards," stated Gregory, as she recognized her own officer team for their devotion and dedication.

Officer of the Year was won by Morgan Lampp and Gregory received the traditional President's Plaque for her service to the local chapter.

 

Morgan Lampp, left, received the Officer of the Year Award, given by the officer team.

 

Proficiency Awards were presented to the following students:

                                        Ag Mechanization - Jordan Hughes

                                        Landscape Management - Jordan Hughes

                                        Beef Production - Jace Orren

                                        Horse Production - Brittaney Bailey

                                        Sheep Production - Morgan Lampp

                                        Vegetable Production - Allie Vazquez

                                         Poultry Production - Chesley McGlammery

                                         Swine Production - Morgan Lampp

                                         Small Animal Production - Chea Townsend

                                         Diversified Livestock - Chasen Folmar

                                         Forage Production - Koyt Koon

                                         Dairy Production - Koyt Koon

                                         Star Greenhand - Colby Parker

                                         Star Chapter Farmer - Dillon Dannheim

                                         Ag Design & Fabrication - Somer Gregory

                                         FFA Member of the Year - Chea Townsend

 

These Sulphur Springs FFA members received Proficiency Awards in their project areas.

 

 

2008-09 Sulphur Springs FFA Officers included: back row, l to r, Allie Vazquez, Morgan Lampp,
Somer Gregory, Chea Townsend, Chesley McGlamery, and front row, Caleb Frazier, Jackson Massey,
and Dillon Dannheim.

 

Following the awarding of proficiency awards in each of the project areas, Dannie Johnson, called Mr. John Boles, vocational agriculture teacher, to the podium. "This is the hard part!" exclaimed Johnson. "Mr. Boles has decided to retire, this year, following 30 years of service to the Sulphur Springs FFA Chapter and over 38 years in the teaching of vocational agriculture. I probably know John better than anyone in this room, with the exception of his wife. We began teaching on the 'sunny beaches of Florida,' back in the early 1970's and become fast friends. Then, when two positions became open at Sulphur Springs High School, John and accepted the positions in 1979."

 

Students, former students, and guests gave retiring vocational agriculture teacher, John Boles, center,
a standing ovation, for his 30 years of service to the Sulphur Springs Chapter and 38 years of teaching
vocational agriculture in both Florida and Texas.

 

"John has been excellent in the classroom, laying out a lesson plan and completing it regardless of what happens. Then, he is outstanding in training leadership, land judging, pasture and range, and ag mechanics team," continued Johnson. "But, his passion has been the horticulture program here at Sulphur Springs. Mr. Froneberger and I nearly have to get a key from him to even enter the greenhouse, but once you enter it you readily see why. John has directed this program as he 'lived and breathed' plant production and had the ability to instill in his students the same direction and enthusiasm. He's going to be sorely missed in the Sulphur Springs High School Vocational program! And, by teaching students it keeps us all young, so hopefully, he want go home, retire, and become old!"

 

Boles relates some of his experiences while a vocational agriculture teacher and "refuted" some of the
humorous accusations brought against him!

 

Boles took the stage and related some of his experiences of teaching at Sulphur Springs High School and received a standing ovation from former students and guests, who have been associated with him over the past 30 years in Sulphur Springs. All wished him a happy retirement!

 

 

Chea Townsend received the FFA Member of the Year Award.

 

The three scholarship winners announced at Thursday night's banquet were: the Sterling and Eva Beckham Memorial Scholarship - Chea Townsend; the Young Farmer Scholarship - Ashlea Brown; and the Cecil Tucker Memorial Scholarship - Somer Gregory.

 

Mr. Ronald Blakemore recieved the Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree for his
devotion and service to the Sulphur Springs FFA Chapter.

 

Mr. Ronald Blakemore was honored with the Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree, by the local chapter officers, for his service to the chapter over the past several years.

 

Star Greenhand was Colby Parker, left, and Star Chapter Farmer was Dillon Dannheim, right.

 

The banquet ended with a power-point presentation of the many highlights the chapter had achieved over the past year, prepared by the chapter officers, and enjoyed by all.

 

Jackson Massey, Chapter Treasurer, participates in the closing ceremonies for Thursday night's banquet.

 

Congratulations!!!

Sulphur Springs FFA on
76 Years of Service to this Community!!!

 

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