News V-S FFA celebrates a year of new challenges at 2012 Banquet

A Vinton-Shellsburg High School student approached Ag teacher and FFA advisor Louise Fleming earlier this years.

"I really wanted to take one of your agriculture classes this year," she told Fleming. "But instead I decided to take this new class called aquaponics."

That student soon realized that Mrs. Fleming is indeed the aquaponics teacher at VSHS, and that aquaponics is now part of the agriculture curriculum there.

It's been that kind of year for the Vinton-Shellsburg Ag Dept., and the FFA. Students began the year by building a set of aquariums and large tanks for the fish. They spent much of the year learning how to keep fish alive.

Mrs. Fleming and her students, joined by their families and community supporters of the FFA, met on Saturday to review the events, activities and awards of the 2011-12 year.

The 2012 FFA Banquet and awards ceremony took place Saturday, at the high school. After eating together in the cafeteria, the group gathered in the auditorium, where the students presented their program.

First, however, they heard words of praise from first-year principal Matt Kingsbury.

Kingsbury told the audience how fortunate V-S is to have an ag and FFA program, adding that he attended a high school that did not have one. He then told the crowd how he married a farm girl and learned quickly about agriculture.

"Now they let me touch the tractor," he joked. He also told the audience how he accidentally got a penicillin shot in the wrist while trying to vaccinate hogs with his in-laws.

"I still have the scar," he told them.

The principal said he visits the Ag room several times each week.

"You would not believe the amount of learning that takes place in that room every day," he said. "There is a lot of hands-on learning."

Calling the program "one of the best in the state," Kingsbury said that several other school districts have called him this year to inquire about the new ag classes. Several community members have also contacted the school to learn more.

"I have a lot of respect for our Ag students," he said. "They are hard-working and respectful."

Chapter members awarded in several categories

VS FFA members received scores of awards for their activities this year. Sub-District, District and State Award winners walked to the stage to accept their certificates.

The chapter's Star honorees received plaques. Riley Ries is the Star Greenhand; Abbie Darland, the Star Chapter Farmer; and Stephen Stinson received the Star Placement Award in honor of his participation in many FFA activities and his work in agriculture.

Outstanding Senior

Danisha Plasden received the traditional tractor that accompanies the Outstanding Senior Award. This award honors a senior FFA member for their contribution to the school, community and FFA chapter. Plasden is a first-year member of the FFA, a Senior Greenhand. She was active this year in Team Ag sales, Farm Safety Day and Courtesy Corp. Beirshenk Farms sponsors this award and the tractor that Plasden received.

Dekalb Winner

The Dekalb honoree is Colleen Finch. This award goes to an FFA senior who displays an interest in an agricultural career, and shows hard work and diligence toward chapter activities. Finch and chapter President Abbie Darland were the two students who first discussed the aquascience curriculum with the Vinton-Shellsburg School Board.

Other award recipients among FFA members include:

Chapter Farmers: Caleb Svoboda, Karley Kenney, Miranda Husted, Nathan Merchant, Tim Haerther, Stephen Stinson.

Greenhands: Blaik Cooper, Danisha Plasden, Dawne Schminke, Emily Cashman, John Eden, Karys Lillie, Keaton Robb, Riley Ries and Rita Fraise.

SAEAward: Timothy Houtchens.

Scholarship winners:

Advisor's Scholarship (sponsored by Chuck and Marilyn Yedlik): Abbie Darland.

Farmers Savings Bank and Trust Scholarship: Danisha Plasden.

Crop Plot Scholarship (with thanks to John Anderson who donated the land to the chapter for its crops): Miranda Husted.

Floriculture members also received honors. There were four members last year, and four this year who competed in floriculture events. Last year's participants were Amy Andrews, Rylie Pflughaupt, Paula Kalina and Willow Huber. This year's team included Abbie Darland, Amy Andrews, Jacob Patrilla and Willow Huber, with Colleen Finch serving as Alternate. This year's team advanced to the nationals, a first for the V-S FFA.

The Chapter also presented Honorary FFA Degrees to community members in appreciation for their support of the FFA chapter and its projects. This year's honorees included Scott Fleming, who helped students build the tanks for the fish; Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock; and Laura Payne, who has helped the Floriculture team and has also spent countless hours baking for the local chapter, including the dessert for this year's banquet.

The chapter also presented appreciation certificates to several area individuals and businesses for their continued support of the VS FFA.

Yield Contest Winners:

The chapter sponsors a yield contest each year. The annual corn and soybean yield contest winners are:

Soybeans: First and second place, J & S/D & T Farms (Steve Johnson).

Corn: Second place: Brian Carlson. First place J & S/D & T Farms.

Chaperones Suzie Henkle and Tina Eden and Scott Fleming also received recognition for the days they spent accompanying members to conventions.

Chapter Officers honored

Retiring officers include: Pres. Abbie Darland, VP Kyle Henkle, Sec. Willow Huber, Treas. Jacob Patrilla, Reporter Colleen Finch, Sentinel Dillon Brummer, Officer-At-Large Brent Lange and Assistant Officer Timothy Houtchens.

New officers for the 2012-13 year include: Pres. Kyle Henkle, VP Caleb Svoboda, Sec. Dawne Schminke, Treas. Jacob Patrilla, Co-Reporters Emily Cashman and Karley Kenney, Sentinel Dillon Brummer and Officer-At-Large John Eden.