The Fairfax FFA Chapter held its annual banquet Sunday, May 3, in the high school gym. Chapter members are, from left to right: front row – Lexi Brown, Carley Graham, Chloe Vernon, Amelia Larson, Piper Morris, Kelsey Avrett, Avery Fast, Brenna Kingery, and Deyton Burke; and back row – Knox Oswald, Tyler Duering, Austin Helfers, Tate Johnson, Joaquin Hill, Wyatt Landess, Jude Long, Riley Koop, Evan Rogers, Dillion Perez, Alex Martin, and Advisor Ethan Riley. (Rhonda Riley photos)
Greenhand FFA Degrees were presented to Deyton Burke, Avery Fast, Brenna Kingery, Riley Koop, Wyatt Landess, Jude Long, and Evan Rogers (top) at the Fairfax FFA Awards Banquet. The Star Greenhand Award was presented to freshman Avery Fast (above).
Chapter FFA Degrees were awarded to Knox Oswald, Tyler Duering, Carley Graham, Kelsey Averett, and Piper Morris.
Austin Helfers was named the Chapter Star Agricultural Placement recipient.
Tate Johnson was named the Chapter Star Farmer and was recognized for receiving the Chapter High Points award.
Amelia Larson was named the Chapter Star Agricultural Business award recipient.
Chloe Vernon received the Blue Jacket Award.
Scholarship awards were presented to, from left to right: front row – Deyton Burke, Brenna Kingery, and Kelsey Avrett; and back row – Alex Martin, Chloe Vernon, Tate Johnson, Knox Oswald, and Amelia Larson.
Leadership awards were presented to, from left to right: front row – Deyton Burke, Avery Fast, and Tyler Duering; and back row – Carley Graham, Alex Martin, Chloe Vernon, Tate Johnson, and Amelia Larson.
Honorary Chapter Degrees were awarded to Brett Johnson, Cody and Lori Helfers, and Jeff and Rhonda Riley for their continued support. Matt and Theresa Larson and Lori Helfers are not pictured. (Amy Fast photo)
Senior Joaquin Hill presented his FFA jacket to his mother, Jennifer.
The 2026–2027 officer team includes, from left to right, Alex Martin, vice-president; Brenna Kingery, sentinel; Avery Fast, reporter; Chloe Vernon, president; and Lexi Brown, secretary/treasurer.
By Avery Fast, FFA Reporter
The Fairfax FFA Chapter celebrated a year of hard work and achievement during its annual banquet on May 3, 2026, held in the Fairfax High School gymnasium. The event brought together students, families, and community members for an evening of dinner, recognition, and reflection.
Chapter officers opened the banquet by welcoming guests and thanking parents, teachers, and local agricultural partners for their continued support. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of Greenhand FFA Degrees to Deyton Burke, Avery Fast, Brenna Kingery, Riley Koop, Jude Long, Evan Rogers, and Wyatt Landess. The Star Greenhand Award was presented to freshman Avery Fast for outstanding dedication and enthusiasm.
Chapter FFA Degrees were awarded to Kelsey Averett, Tyler Duering, Carley Graham, Knox Oswald, and Piper Morris. Additional top honors included Tate Johnson as Chapter Star Farmer and Chapter High Points, Amelia Larson as Chapter Star Agricultural Business, and Austin Helfers as Chapter Star Agricultural Placement. Chloe Vernon received the Blue Jacket Award, while Anna Ohlensehlen was recognized as Top Fruit Salesman.
Leadership awards were presented to Avery Fast, Deyton Burke, Carley Graham, Tyler Duering, Chloe Vernon, Alex Martin, Tate Johnson, and Amelia Larson. Scholarship awards were presented to Deyton Burke, Brenna Kingery, Knox Oswald, Kelsey Avrett, Chloe Vernon, Alex Martin, Tate Johnson, and Amelia Larson. Honorary Chapter Degrees were awarded to Cody and Lori Helfers, Brett Johnson, Matt and Theresa Larson, and Jeff and Rhonda Riley for their continued support.
Members were also recognized for participation in Career and Leadership Development Events, including floriculture, entomology, farm management, knowledge, and dairy foods. Several students earned Missouri Agricultural Skills and Knowledge (MOASK) credentials, recognizing their proficiency in agricultural career areas. These students included Austin Helfers, Joaquin Hill, Tatem Johnson, Amelia Larson, Lexi Brown, Chloe Vernon, Kelsey Avrett, and Knox Oswald.
At the state level, Tate Johnson and Amelia Larson received the Missouri State FFA Degree. Carley Graham and Tyler Duering earned first place in the Area 1 Scrapbook competition, qualifying for state. Lexi Brown was recognized for participation in the National and Missouri State FFA Choir and Talent, as well as the Area Employment Skills Contest.
Additional honors included Missouri State FFA Delegates Chloe Vernon and Alex Martin, Courtesy Corps members Austin Helfers, Chloe Vernon, Carley Graham, Avery Fast, and Brenna Kingery. Participants in Ag Ed on the Move, Chloe Vernon, and the Champion Missouri State Fair Educational Display, Austin Helfers, Tate Johnson, Amelia Larson, Alex Martin, and Carley Graham, were also honored.
Advisor Ethan Riley recognized the importance of community support and partnerships in student success. The chapter also honored its outgoing officers before installing the 2026–2027 officer team, led by Chloe Vernon, president; Alex Martin, vice-president; Lexi Brown, secretary/treasurer; Avery Fast, reporter; and Brenna Kingery, sentinel.
The evening concluded as Chloe Vernon, the 2026-2027 chapter president, honored the senior FFA members during the retiring jacket ceremony and spoke about their involvement and accomplishments in FFA. Chloe then closed the banquet, celebrating the Fairfax FFA chapter’s accomplishments and looking ahead to another successful year.
