Sterling FFA celebrates successful year at awards banquet
Sterling High School’s FFA chapter celebrated a year filled with accomplishments at their 92nd annual chapter banquet Wednesday.
The banquet was hosted by 2021-22 chapter officers Sarah Maker, president; Jalyssa Maker, secretary; and Ethan Koester, treasurer, along with their advisor Whitney Reed, and began with a keynote address from Colorado FFA State Executive Committee member Trista Lebsack on “Turning Self Doubt Into Confidence.”
“For you to get to where you want to be you have to focus on your path and not the obstacles,” she told her fellow FFA members. “Turning self doubt into confidence may seem impossible or may be scary at first, but being able to get the opportunity to try something that you think may not enjoy is a great start.”
Following her remarks, the officer team presented Greenhand Degrees to: ShayLeigh Ulrich, Alie Sator, Grace Petersen, Tyla Thomas, Hunter Koester, Jaden Martinez, Macie Doherty, Emma Stumpf, Addi Pasko, JJ Merrell, Vanessa Harty, Mia D’Ippolito, Kali Graber, Taryn Seifried, Shane Zoppelli, Kayle Unrein, Ava Reeves, Aylin Aguirre, Jasmine Huey, Lorelei Phillips-Hope, Brennen Welsh, Caleb Kloberdanz, Robert Beals, Josh Wadsworth, Nate Winters, Jason Gee, Logan Gray, Brooklyn Ogley, Cooper Burton, Caysen Bamford, Ayden Gandee, Manny Renteria, Carter Erb, Ryker Van Wyk, and Connie Gassaway.
Chapter Degrees went to Ayla Baney, Colton Hadeen and Ellee Sonnenberg.
Sterling has one State Degree recipient who will receive their degree at the Colorado FFA State Convention in June, Sarah Maker. Also, Jayce Maker is hoping to be selected as American Degree recipient at the National FFA Convention next October, his application has been accepted by Colorado FFA and will be reviewed by the National FFA in the coming months.
Ag Leadership Awards went to Emma Stumpf, Manny Renteria, Macie Doherty, Brooklyn Ogley – Intro to Ag; Colton Hadeen – Animal Science; and Pryce Keen- Advanced Welding.
Next, participants in the Chapter Creed Speaking Contest were recognized: Colin Linn, Emma Stumpf, Tim Scheufele, Ryker Van Wyk, Josh Wadsworth, Caden Tarver and Ava Santos – Bronze; Jason Gee, Sam Emmerson, ShayLeigh Ulrich, Ethan Felzien, Addi Pasko, Grace Petersen and Hunter Diamond – Silver; and Carter Erb, Tyla Thomas and Alie Sator – Gold. In the fall contest chapter runner-up was Thomas and chapter winner was Sator, at the district contest Thomas placed second overall and Sator placed third.
There is no spring Creed Speaking Contest, but those who spent time learning it this semester include Taryn Seifried, Brennen Weslch and Ayden Gandee.
Quizbowl competitors this year included Carter Erb, Grace Petersen, ShayLeigh Ulrich, Cooper Burton, Emma Stumpf and Addi Pasko.
Connie Gassaway competed in the Prepared Public Speaking contest; she won the district contest and will advance to the state competition in June.
Students who competed in the Ag Mechanics Career Development Event (CDE) were Carter Erb, Dakota Gillespie-Herrera and Alex Rodine, as a team they placed 17th at districts and Rodine was 13th overall, and Carter represented well at the state contest.
Livestock Judging CDE team members included Kali Graber, Grace Petersen, Alie Sator and Tyla Thomas. At state Thomas placed in the gold category, Sator placed in silver and Petersen in the bronze. As a team they were in the silver category.
Sarah Maker was the lone participant in the Employment Skills CDE, placing first at the district and was one of the top 10 students selected to interview at the state contest, where she placed in the silver category.
Work Ethic Awards were given to Logan Gray and Hunter Koester, Ayla Baney, Ellee Sonnenberg, Kolby Hernandez, Alex Rodine, Jayce Estrada and Jasmine Huey.
Next, several Excellent Awards were presented to Grace Petersen for providing excellent entertainment; Carter Erb for always saying yes to anything; Addi Pasko for being the most patient; Kali Graber for her commitment; and Dakota Gillespie-Herrera for being the most improved.
Janae Maker presented the Mother’s Club Scholarship to Sarah Maker and Ethan Koester.
The chapter officers then recognized SHS Agriculture Advisory Committee members Jamie Adam, Emily Barkley, Carson Guenzi, Jason Hill, Peyton Kloberdanz, Jared Koester and Nate Northrup.
Reed then handed out several Star Awards. Star Greenhand was Alie Sator and Tyla Thomas, Star Chapter Farmer was Sarah Maker and Chapter Star in Agricultural Placement went to Ethan Koester.
She also presented several Outstanding Student Awards. The Outstanding Sophomore was Connie Gassaway, Oustanding Junior was Jaylssa Maker and Outstanding Senior was Sarah Maker.
Reed then took several minutes to share stories about each of the senior members and give them special recognition. Seniors include Jayce Estrada, Jasmine Huey, Ethan Koester and Sarah Maker.
Following the awards, Sarah Maker gave her retiring address, speaking about her time in FFA. She joined as a freshman after hearing about it from her cousin Jayce and deciding it seemed like something fun to do.
Maker also spoke school being difficult for her because she has a learning disorder, telling her fellow FFA members, “even though I faced challenges I never let it stop me from doing the things that I love. My parents, sister and grandparents have been there to cheer me on and encourage me to never give up. Yes, there have been challenges and obstacles along the way that have caused disappointment and discouragement but what I’ve learned is to use those obstacles for good. Don’t let the mistakes or others feel less than who you are, God has created you with all unique talents and we need to use those to build up others.”
Following her remarks and a chapter slideshow, the 2022-23 officer team was installed. The team includes Jalyssa Maker, president; Alie Sator, vice president; Grace Petersen, secretary; Tyla Thomas, treasurer; Connie Gassaway, reporter; Hunter Koester, sentinel; and Macie Doherty, Jaden Martinez and Emma Stumpf, executive committee.
The banquet closed with senior officers Sarah Maker and Ethan Koester hanging up their blue and gold jackets as they move on to the next chapter in their lives.
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