Apr 14, 2025
By Megan Young and Cortlynn Cook
Another year of success and accomplishments was celebrated by the Central Trail FFA at the Annual Parent-Member Banquet on Tuesday, March 25th in the High School Gym. A total of 319 people attended the banquet to reflect on the accomplishments of themselves or our members, as well as recognize the guests who always go above and beyond to support our chapter! We were able to kick off the banquet with an amazing meal provided by Becky Bragg of The Family Table. After the meal, we were able to recognize those who excelled in Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events with certificates for their achievements!
We were thrilled to award appreciation certificates to the following supporters of our chapter: Amber Swartz, Mark Saylor, Carol Saxton, Jill Sage, Wes and Amber Richards, Brent Muller, Mary Frisbie, Galen and Patti Jimmerson, Alan and Katie Jensen, Becca Crouch, Cassie Martin, Becky Broich, Tanner Betin, and Wild Jades Boutique. We want to thank each and every one for all your hard work and dedication to the Central Trail FFA Chapter.
The senior members of the Central Trail FFA commemorated their parents for their ongoing support during their high school careers with white carnations tipped in blue during the presentation of the senior slideshow.
During the banquet, we were very pleased to take the time to recognize one great individual for their outstanding service and ongoing support for our chapter! We were very honored to award Lisa Porter with the Honorary FFA Degree Award.
Kala Leeper was awarded the Outstanding Service Award. The Appreciation Award Plaque was presented to BTC Bank and Dan Smith. Many individual members were awarded for their accomplishments throughout the years. These included: Dekalb Outstanding Senior – Adeline Stone; Star Chapter Farmer –Cord Hamilton; Star in Agriculture Placement – Austin Jensen; Star in Agribusiness – Zoey Hamilton; Rising Star Award – Riley Benda; Star Greenhand -Kendall Hatfield and Jordan Dittmer; BTC Bank Award- Cord Hamilton; 4 Seasons Fundraising Scholarship- Adeline Stone; Leadership Pin – Olivia Saylor; Community Service Pin – Megan Young; Scholarship Pin – Abigail Leahy, Makenna Perkins, Anden Hall, and Adeline Stone.
We would also like to thank Corey, Tonya, and Maizee Lindsey of the Leon Journal Reporter for catching memories of those that we honor! We were very honored to have Jason Allen of Lamoni Livestock Auction serving as the live auctioneer for our annual Servant and Pie Auction, which brought in over $9,500. The freshman and sophomore servants and pies were auctioned off in a silent auction, while the junior and senior servants and pies were auctioned off live! The generosity of our parents and community members throughout this auction will allow us to send 3 FFA members to the Washington Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. this summer! We would also like to give a special thanks to Tanner Bettin and Sloan Boyd for taking bids for Mr. Allen during our auction.
We are very proud of our membership and were honored to recognize our members for their accomplishments throughout the year by bestowing the appropriate pin on each member who showed achievement. As we retired our former ‘24-’25 officer team, we were very pleased to install our new officer team at the conclusion of the banquet. The following Central Trail FFA officers for 2025-2026 include President; Leighanna Bundt, Vice President; Megan Young, Vice President; Cortlynn Cook, Secretary; Morgan Havlik, Treasurer; Landi Leeper, Treasurer; Izabelle Patterson Reporter; Jordan Dittmer, Reporter; Macson Lindsey, Sentinel; Bianca Swartz, Chaplain; Kendall Hatfeild, Historian; Riley Benda, and Parliamentarian; Cole Cline. Thank you to all who attended and CONGRATULATIONS to all of our award winners!
