From left to right, Hayden Howard presents the American flag; Heath Stubbs presents the Texas flag; and Jessica Clark
presents the flag of the FFA, at the Tuesday night, Annual FFA Banquet, at Como-Pickton School.
Agricultural Achievement Honored
At Annual Como-Pickton FFA
Banquet
by: Bobby McDonald
Tuesday night, parents, students, and supporters gathered in the Como-Pickton School Cafeteria for the annual FFA Banquet, where students were recognized for their many fetes of achievement and local supporters were lauded for their continued support of the chapter. Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Michael and Amy Bowen, and members of the 2005-06 Officer Team hosted the event, which featured a catered bbq meal, provided by Andy and Mary Lou Wright. The program was designed by officer, Bethanie Stinson.
FFA member, Jensen Mabe, delivers the Welcome at Tuesday night's banquet.
Among the honored guests at Tuesday night's FFA Banquet were
Mr. Carroll D. Nichols, and his wife, Delma. Mr. Nichols taught
vocational agriculture at Pickton, and Como-Pickton for many years
and served as advisor for the chapter.
Como-Pickton students were recognized for their participation in judging team activities, leadership teams, ag mechanics projects, and a variety of livestock projects. Michael Bowen praised the efforts of the many students who continually go above and beyond the requirements of the program. "We have students who devote hours after school and on the weekends, in order to complete a project," stated Bowen. "You might find them staying after school daily for judging team practices, or in the ag show painting a project on Saturday, or late at night."
Three of those singled-out for special recognition included, left to right, Gayle Spearman, Vanessa
Moreau-Sipiere, and Amanda Mitchell.
Vocational agriculture teacher, Michael Bowen, tells of many of the accomplishments of junior
student, Alex Mowat, at Tuesday night's banquet.
Students in each of the vocational agriculture classes voted to select the "student of the year award," based on the student's cooperation, work ethic, and general attitude. Recognized for this award were: Leo Sanchez, Lindsey Watkins, Wilke Jacobs, Cody Nixon, Gayle Spearman, Alex Mowat, and Hayden Howard.
Como-Pickton FFA member, Lindsey Watkins, entertained those at the banquet with her presentation
that won her third place honors at the District FFA Convention.
Students were also cited for their project and leadership work and an outstanding Greenhand, Chapter Farmer, and Lone Star Farmer were recognized.
Star Greenhands of the Como-Pickton Chapter were Brady Potts and Lisa Lageschaar.
Star Chapter Farmers were Cassie Mund and Gayle Spearman.
Bridget Coke was selected as the Star Lone Star Farmer of the Como-Pickton Chapter.
Micah Walden was sited as the Lone Star Farmer Degree Candidate for 2006 and will be submitting
his project books at the District Degree Check.
Thirty-five students who showed some 49 projects at the Hopkins County NETLA Show were recognized for their devotion to completing a market animal project. One of those students, Cassie Mund, was name a recipient of a NETLA Scholarship for $1,000.00, that will be used next year to pursue her college degree. Also recognized was Justin Asbill who won a $6,000.00 Scholarship for showing the Grand Champion Jersey Female at the spring San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Cassie Mund flashes a pretty smile after being named a winner of a
$1000.00 NETLA college scholarship.
The FFA organization allows for each individual chapter to recognize those community individuals who support the local work, and the Como-Pickton Chapter chose Danny Coke, as the recipient of the prestigious Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree. Chapter officers presented Coke with the award, on behalf of the members of the chapter.
Danny Coke, left, was cited for his many hours of work and support of the Como-Pickton FFA
Chapter and awarded the Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree, by the chapter members.
Near the conclusion of the banquet, Bowen expressed his appreciation for the parents allowing him to serve and help mold their children's lives. "I want to thank you for sending your kids to me each day and allowing me to do what I love!" stated Bowen.
The last item of business for the 2006 FFA Banquet was the naming of the 2006-07 Chapter Officers, who closed the banquet with the officer's closing ceremony.
2006-07 Como-Pickton FFA Officers will be: front row, Gayle Spearman - President, Amanda Mitchell - Vice-President,
B.J. Sharp - 2nd Vice-President, and Lisa Lageschaar-Secretary; and back row, Justin Asbill - Treasurer, Jensen Mabe -
Reporter, Quentin Wicks-Sentinel, and Spencer Wicks - Student Advisor.
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