Scholarship Awards went to freshmen Anna Ohlensehlen and Chloe Vernon, sophomores Amelia Larson and Tatem Johnson, juniors Clayton Vernon and Grace Oswald, and seniors Kendal Straub and Trent Kingery. (Photos by Rhonda Riley)

 

Leadership Awards went to freshmen Chloe Vernon and Lexi Brown, sophomores Tatem Johnson and Austin Helfers (not pictured), juniors Lillie Auwarter and Grace Oswald, and seniors Trent Kingery and Charlie Smith (not pictured).

 

The chapter’s seniors were recognized during the Retiring Jacket Ceremony. This year, there were five seniors and four were in attendance to take part for the ceremony: Victoria Jamison, Kendal Straub, Jasey Smith, and Trent Kingery. Charlie Smith was not in attendance.

 

The Blue Jacket Awards went to Lillie Auwarter, left, and Grace Oswald, right.

 

Lillie Auwarter was recognized as the Fairfax FFA Chapter’s Top Fruit Salesman.

 

Fairfax FFA Chapter members who earned the Greenhand Degree included (at left), from left to right: front row – Connor Miller, Carter Oswald, and Anna Ohlensehlen; and back row – Lexi Brown, Alex Martin, Mason Kingery, and Chloe Vernon. Chloe Vernon, right, was named the Star Greenhand. (Rhonda Riley photos)

 

Fairfax FFA members earning the Chapter Degrees included Amelia Larson, Tatem Johnson, and Lillie Auwarter. Also earning Chapter Degrees, but not in attendance, were Austin Helfers and Joaquin Hill. Charlie Smith, not in attendance, was presented the Chapter Star Farmer.

 

Honorary Chapter Degrees were presented to Ryan and Jill Kingery, Aleesha Lemar, and Justin and Alicia Straub. Bob and Marilyn Alldredge also received the honor, but were not present.

 

The Fairfax FFA Chapter held its annual awards banquet May 2, 2024. The banquet was opened by the 2023-2024 officer team with 71 members and guests present. The presentation of awards began after dinner.

First was the presentation of appreciation certificates. The Fairfax chapter members are thankful and appreciative for all the support received from families, community members, businesses, and the school.

The Greenhand Degrees were presented to seven Greenhands: Lexi Brown, Mason Kingery, Alex Martin, Connor Miller, Anna Ohlensehlen, Carter Oswald, and Chloe Vernon. As part of this ceremony, Anna Ohlensehlen presented the FFA Creed. Anna was this year’s winner of the free FFA jacket for memorizing the FFA Creed first. The chapter then presented the 2024 Star Greenhand award to Chloe Vernon.

Next was the Chapter Degree ceremony. This year, five members earned their Chapter Degrees: Lillie Auwarter, Austin Helfers, Joaquin Hill, Tatem Johnson, and Amelia Larson. The Chapter Star Farmer presentation then took place, honoring Charlie Smith as this year’s Chapter Star Farmer.

Two members from each class were selected for the Leadership and Scholarship Awards. This year’s Leadership Awards went to freshmen Chloe Vernon and Lexi Brown, sophomores Tatem Johnson and Austin Helfers, juniors Lillie Auwarter and Grace Oswald, and seniors Trent Kingery and Charlie Smith. This year’s Scholarship Awards went to freshmen Chloe Vernon and Anna Ohlensehlen, sophomores Amelia Larson and Tatem Johnson, juniors Grace Oswald and Clayton Vernon, and seniors Trent Kingery and Kendal Straub.

The Blue Jacket Award went to two members, Lillie Auwater and Grace Oswald.

This year’s top fruit salesman, Lillie Auwarter, was also honored.

The chapter then recognized its CDE teams, LDE participants, and members of other events: Agronomy (fall contest) – Austin Helfers, Joaquin Hill, Tatem Johnson, Ryker Parks, and Charlie Smith; Dairy Foods (fall contest) – Lillie Auwarter, KayDee Duering, and Victoria Jamison; Entomology – Austin Helfers, Joaquin Hill, Tatem Johnson, and Bryon Ohlensehlen; Farm Management – Lillie Auwarter, KayDee Duering, Grace Oswald, Ryker Parks, Charlie Smith, and Bryon Ohlensehlen (for districts); Floriculture – Trent Kingery, Kendall Kingery, Kendal Straub, Clayton Vernon, and Bryon Ohlensehlen (fall contest); FFA Knowledge – Lexi Brown, Mason Kingery, Alex Martin, Connor Miller, Anna Ohlensehlen, Carter Oswald, and Chloe Vernon; State FFA Knowledge Team – Lexi Brown, Mason Kingery, Anna Ohlensehlen, and Chloe Vernon; Charlie Smith – 1st Place 2023 Area 1 Missouri Cattlemen’s Speaking, 2nd Place 2023 NW District Missouri Cattlemen’s Speaking, 1st Place 2024 Area 1 Advanced Division Public Speaking, 3rd Place 2024 NW District Advanced Division Public Speaking, and Missouri State FFA Degree; Kendal Straub – Missouri State FFA Choir; Lexi Brown – Alternate 2023 Area 1 Missouri Teach Ag Speaking, 4th Place 2024 Area 1 Creed Speaking, and Missouri State FFA Choir; Grace Oswald and Lillie Auwarter – 1st Place Area 1 Scrapbook- State Qualifying; Amelia Larson – 2023 National FFA Band and Competed in 2023 Area 1 Missouri Young Farmer/Young Farm Wives Speaking; Chloe Vernon – 2nd Place Area 1 Division 1 Prepared Public Speaking and 3rd Place NW District Division 1 Prepared Public Speaking; Anna Ohlensehlen – Competed in 2023 Area 1 Creed Speaking; Courtesy Corps – Charlie Smith, KayDee Duering, Mason Kingery, Anna Ohlensehlen, and Chloe Vernon; and Ag Ed on the Move – Lillie Auwarter, KayDee Duering, Bryon Ohlensehalen, and Grace Oswald.

Honorary Chapter Degrees were then presented to Bob and Marilyn Alldredge, Ryan and Jill Kingery, Justin and Alicia Straub, and Aleesha Lemar.

One of the last items of the night included the installation of the 2024-2025 Fairfax FFA Officer Team. Officers are: Ryker Parks, president; Lillie Auwarter and Amelia Larson, co-vice presidents; Chloe Vernon, secretary; Clayton Vernon, treasurer; Anna Ohlensehlen, reporter; and Tatem Johnson, sentinel.

The last item of the night was honoring the chapter’s seniors with the Retiring Jacket Ceremony. There were five seniors, four of who were in attendance, to take part in the ceremony: Victoria Jamison, Trent Kingery, Jasey Smith, and Kendal Straub. Charlie Smith was not in attendance.

The 2024-2025 officer team closed the banquet.