Braden Graves was presented with the Star Chapter Farmer in Agribusiness Award. He also received the Blue Jacket Award and was recognized for being the Top Fruit Salesman, as well as having earned the State FFA Degree.

Cameron Oswald was named the Star Chapter Farmer.

Chapter Degree recipients included Grace Oswald, Charlie Smith, Payton Woodring, Kendall Kingery, Clayton Vernon, Bryon Ohlensehlen, KayDee Duering, and Noah Miller. Quen Roop is not pictured.

Amelia Larson was named the Star Greenhand.

Greenhand Degree recipients were Amelia Larson, Austin Helfers, Tate Johnson, Joaquin Hill, and Lillie Auwarter.

Seniors Cameron Oswald, Kierra McDonald, and Braden Graves were honored in the Retiring Jacket Ceremony.

The 2023-24 officers are Charlie Smith (Vice-President), Grace Oswald (Reporter), Kendal Straub (Secretary), Trent Kingery (President), Clayton Vernon (Sentinel), and Amelia Larson (Treasurer).

Receiving Honorary FFA Degrees at the Fairfax FFA Banquet were Kristy McDonald, Beth Graves, Jon Graves, Ashley Grossman, Josh Oswald, and Dustin Barnes. Not pictured are Jake Smith, Tracy Oswald, and Dr. Jeremy Burright.

This year’s Fairfax FFA banquet was held April 25, 2023. The event opened with the meeting being called to order by 2022-2023 Chapter President Braden Graves. The roll call of officers was done by 2022-2023 Chapter Vice President Trent Kingery. The opening ceremony was followed by the invocation, given by 2022-2023 Chapter Treasurer Kierra McDonald, and a meal for all guests and chapter members was enjoyed. The Fairfax FFA thanked Jim Navin for preparing the pork loin for the meal.

After dinner, the officers proceeded with the awards ceremony. This was started off with the presentation of appreciation certificates to members’ parents, as well as school board members, teachers, and community sup-porters. Greenhand Degree recipients were: Austin Helfers, Joaquin Hill, Tatem Johnson, Amelia Larson, and Lillie Auwarter. Amelia Larson received the Star Greenhand award.

This was followed by the Chapter Degree Ceremony. Chapter Degree recipients included: KayDee Duering, Kendall Kingery, Noah Miller, Bryon Ohlensehlen, Grace Oswald, Quen Roop, Charlie Smith, Clayton Vernon, and Payton Woodring.

The next award was the Chapter Star Farmer. This honor was presented to Cameron Oswald. A Chapter Star in Agribusiness was also chosen and this year it was Braden Graves.

Two members from each class were presented with leadership and scholarship awards. Leadership Awards went to: Freshmen – Amelia Larson and Austin Helfers, Sophomores – Charlie Smith and Grace Oswald, Juniors – Trent Kingery and Kendal Straub, and Seniors – Braden Graves and Cameron Oswald. Scholarship Awards were presented to: Freshmen – Amelia Larson and Tatem Johnson, Sophomores –  Charlie Smith and Clayton Vernon, Juniors – Trent Kingery and Kendal Straub, and Seniors – Braden Graves and Kierra McDonald.

Every year, the FFA Chapter awards one student with the Blue Jacket Award. This year’s recipient was Braden Graves. Braden Graves was also this year’s Top Fruit Salesman.

All the students who competed in CDE’s, LDE’S, and other activities were then honored. This year’s contest teams were as follow: Dairy Foods – Lillie Auwarter, KayDee Duering, Quen Roop, Noah Miller, and Victoria Jamison; Livestock Judging – Braden Graves, Cameron Oswald, Kierra McDonald, Charlie Smith, Grace Oswald, and Payton Woodring; Floriculture – Trent Kingery, Kendal Straub, and Jasey Smith; Nursey Landscape – Kendall Kingery, Bryon Ohlensehlen, and Clayton Vernon; and FFA Knowledge – Austin Helfers, Amelia Larson, Tatem Johnson, and Joaquin Hill. LDE’s included Charlie Smith with the following awards: 1st place 2022 Area 1 Missouri Farm Bureau Speaking, 1st place 2022 NW District Missouri Farm Bureau Speaking, 3rd place 2022 State Missouri Farm Bureau Speaking, 2nd place 2023 Area 1 Division 2 Prepared Public Speaking, 2nd place 2023 NW District Division 2 Prepared Public Speaking, and 5th place 2023 State Division 2 Prepared Public Speaking. Amelia Larson received 3rd place 2022 Area 1 Young Farmers and Farm Wives Speaking. Kendal Straub and Lillie Auwarter completed this year’s chapter scrapbook which received 3rd place at Area. Braden Graves received 2nd place at Area for his completed ownership record book. Other activities and honors include Kendal Straub participating in the Missouri State FFA Choir and Braden Graves receiving his Missouri State FFA Degree.

Every year the chapter chooses people to be honored with the Honorary Chapter Degree. This year, the chapter recognized the following people: Jon & Beth Graves, Jake Smith & Kristy McDonald, Josh & Tracy Oswald, Ashley Grossman, Dustin Barnes, and Dr. Jeremy Burright.

The Installation of Chapter Officers for the 2023-2024 school year then took place. Officers are: President Trent Kingery, Vice-President Charlie Smith, Secretary Kendal Straub, Treasurer Amelia Larson, Reporter Grace Oswald, and Sentinel Clayton Vernon. The three seniors, Braden Graves, Cameron Oswald, and Kierra McDonald, were then honored with the Retiring Jacket Ceremony. The 2023-2024 Chapter President, Trent Kingery, then proceeded with the closing ceremony to wrap up the 2023 Fairfax FFA Banquet.