News : Growing Tomorrow's Leaders with the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Pork BBQ

Andrew Pingenot giving a welcome speech at the beginning of the night.

Friends and family enjoying filling plates with all the delicious food everyone brought!

Middle School member Wesley Lacey is recognized for receiving his Discovery Degree.

Officer Izzie Birker giving her brother Cole Birker his FFA jacket.

Vinton-Shellsburg FFA officers preparing to award members with their degrees.

By: Co-Reporter, Izzie Birker

On Monday, November 4th, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter held its annual Pork BBQ meeting at Tilford Elementary. A total of 190 people attended the event, including 58 FFA members and 132 friends, family members, and guests who came to support the chapter.

Before the ceremony, everyone enjoyed an amazing spread of food provided by Merchant's Grilling and all of the FFA members' families. Everyone there also had the chance to get water, lemonade, or soft drink provided by our FFA Alumni & Supporters Chapter. 

Throughout the night, we enjoyed hearing from our guest speaker, Joe Yedlik, who did a fantastic job sharing his experiences in FFA and encouraging everyone to cherish each moment.

During the Pork BBQ, the officers awarded various degrees, including Discovery, Greenhand, and Chapter Degrees, while also recognizing the recipients of the American Degree. They also presented the new Greenhand members with their blue corduroy jackets, as they will be wearing them at several upcoming events. This is a very exciting moment for many members! One Freshman, Cole Birker, expressed his excitement, saying, "I was very excited to finally get my jacket, and especially to have my older sister be the one to give it to me. I can't wait to see where this degree takes me!"

Discovery Degree recipients included: Gina Lutgen, Addison Higgins, Emmy Paige, Cael Koeppen, Dallas Dee,Eli Fairbanks, Kylie Hanover, Parker Stein, Avery Kakac, Zoey Brown, Ellee Greider-Webster, Clay Powrie, Carter Good, Dillion Willis, Wesley Lacy, Elijah Blackwell, Kali Decker, Allison Beck, Eleanor Stueck, Izzy Sweet, Owen Van Ree, Jack Tomlin, Ian Schminke, Brooklyne Armstrong, Jordyn Purk, Darla Lough, Cam Showers, Devin Tucker, Colin Nelson, Izzy Graveman, Zoey Dods, Carter Smith, Ben Ollinger, Jaden Karick, Oona Stevens, Olive Allen, Scarlett Giroux, and Braelyn Schwab. Greenhand Degree recipients included: Landon Wygle, Kadee Kirchner, Jenna Grovert, Ayden Nosbisch, Addison Obadal, Owen Schminke, Evan Still, Zoey McClintock, Katelyn Fleming, Dakota Lopata, Cash Maynard, Emersyn Svoboda, Rylee Boggess, Haley Crane, Hannah Weets, Izabelle Weets, Olivia Port, Maddie Bunten, Alexander Hugh, Abby Mckenna, Nora Grovert, Jonah Meyer, Gavin Sanders, Raine Wheeler, Colton Birker, and Jameson Demuth. Chapter Degree Recipients included: Leif Allen, Kara Rollinger, Callie Nosbisch, Zane Helter, Amaia Sloop, Ciara Dods, Jackson Hansel, Bri Dulin, Kirsten Pettit, Bridgette Castle, Eleanor Moen, Braedon Hepker, Levi Lutz, Sophia Newton, and Aliyah Lutz. 

The 2024 American Degree recipients included: Christopher Fleming and Carly Williams. The chapter is incredibly proud of all FFA members and their accomplishments, and is grateful to have shared this special evening with so many special supporters of the program!