FFA Hosts 2022 End-Of-Year Banquet

For the first time in three years, the Lucerne Valley FFA held its annual end-of-year banquet in the Sgt. Brian Walker Gymnasium at Lucerne Valley High School on Thursday, April 21.

 

The 2021-22 FFA officers, along with advisers Mr. Troy Van Bavel and Ms. Danielle Hickman, presided over the event that saw a number of members receive awards and ending with the installation of the 2022-23 officers. For several minutes as candles gently lit the gymnasium, attendees paid their respects to sophomores Kayden Davis and Kristy Klaus who lost their lives in a tragic two-vehicle collision on April 8.

 

The event began with the Chapter Officers Landon Lindner (President), Josclyn Nichols (Vice-President),  Abigail Johnson (Secretary), Yanet Alcazar (Treasurer), Ytzel Ramirez (Reporter) and Serenity Petroff (Sentinel) presenting the opening ceremonies.

 

Later in the banquet the outgoing officers handed over duties to the new 2022-23 FFA Chapter officers: Itzel Ramirez (President), Yanet Alcazar (Vice-President), Zoey Davis (Secretary), (first name) Gutierrez (Treasurer), Arelyn Gonzalez (Reporter) and Ian Collins (Sentinel).

Star Awards were presented. Zoey Davis won Star Greenhand, Yanet Alcazar was named Star Chapter Farmer, and Josclyn Nichols and Landon Lindner received State Degrees. Four-year members were honored. They are Josclyn Nichols, Landon Lindner, Abigail Johnson, Christopher Lowe, Jasmine Nguyen, Emma Nefferdorf, Robert Reidtdyk and Armando Castellon.

The prestigious Mustang Ag Award went to Josclyn Nichols.

 

FFA members were recognized by Proficiency Awards and a catch-all category, the Zoo Awards. Zoo Awardees included Zoey Davis, Oswaldo Lopez, Meilani Nyguen, Xavier Bedolla, Arelyn Gonzalez, Mariesther Davalos, Jasmine Nyguen, Humberto Garcia, Courtney Davis, Riley Stearns, Landon Lindner and Abigail Johnson.

 

Leadership Speaking were given to Abigail, Jaydyn, Rylee, Arelyn, Zoey and Evan. Zoey Davis won the Creed Speaking award, Arelyn Gonzalez, Riley Giles and Jadyn Paddack won the Best Informed Greenhand, Evan Herriman won Impromptu Speaking and Abigail Johnson won Job Interview. Participants in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies Competition were recognized.

 

Several community members received special awards and recognitions. Douglas Beaton, the district’s chief business official, was given the Honorary FFA Degree. Joei Miller was named an Outstanding FFA Parent. Katelyn Miller was named Outstanding Alumni. Ms. Miller, who served as FFA president in 2019-20 and Jesus Alcazar who served as president in 2020-21, both spoke at the event. Superintendent Peter Livingston and the district office received special recognition from the advisers. 

 

Co-Principals Kelly Boeing and Nate Lambdin, and Co-Athletic Directors Brandon Barkley and Kevin Barda, along with LVMHS office manager Andrea Moretz were awarded for their special assistance to the FFA.

 

Mr. Van Bavel and Ms. Hickman received gifts from the outgoing officers.

 

Also during the ceremony, the advisers also recognized the FFA members in the Ag classes that include Ag Earth Science, Ag Biology, Ag Mechanical Engineering, Floral Design, Ag Gov/Econ, and Vet Science. Itzel Ramirez (Diversified Livestock Production), Abigail Johnson (Swine Production), Bradley Bernal (Goat Production), and Josclyn Nichols (Beef Production) received Honorable Mentions for the SAE projects.

 

The banquet concluded with the new officers each being joined by a family member in their respective positions in the gymnasium as the ceremony was brought to a close.

 

Thirty-two FFA members and 107 guests enjoyed a dinner of pulled pork, baked potato and string beans provided by the food services department.