“Our first year was just the beginning,” Brady Martin, Keokuk High School FFA Chapter advisor, said. “From the moment we said ‘I believe,’ we took the first step toward something bigger than ourselves.”
The very first KHS FFA Chapter held the inaugural banquet on April 25 in Wright Fieldhouse. The banquet is an annual event held by FFA chapters to celebrate the achievements and milestones of the past year, including recognizing members for their accomplishments in areas such as leadership, career development events (CDEs), supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), and chapter involvement.
During the banquet, awards and degrees were presented, retiring officers gave farewell addresses and new officers were installed. Also, honorary members were featured at the banquet and included community members that contributed to the success of the first year, including LCL Farms, the Keokuk School Board, Sarah Barnes and Family and Lee County Cattlemans.
“By living to serve, we have built more than a chapter — we’ve built a family, a future, and a foundation for greatness,” Martin explained.
The following Chapter Awards were presented:
- Star Agriscience, Kelly Takorbisong
- Dekalb Award, Keira Campbell
- Caring Classroom, Truston Stevens
- Rising Leader, Halli Tibbits
- Star Greenhand, Rosalin Stevens
- Star Chapter Farmer, Bailey Palmer and Keelin McGee
- Bentley McGhghy Award, Cally Leenerts
- “Believe in the Future of Agriculture”: Jayden Taft
- If you’re a Chief you’re a Champion Award, Kelly Takorbisong.
Additionally, the chapter presented certificates for sub-districts, districts and state competitions.
Also, GreenHand Degrees were presented to Kiera Campbell, Kelly Takorbisong, Halli Tibbits, Hannah Karre, Cally Leenerts, Mia Fojtik, Allison Ames, Chevy Barnes, Raylnn Mortimer, Elizabeth Stambaugh, Sophia Rule, Kash Elston, Nolan Delperdang, Darby Tackes, Kole Keppel, Keelin McGee, Alex Best, Tai Villegas, Troy Morris, Truston Stevens, Rosalin Stevens, Brooklyn Heule, Maddie Banes, Josie Sapp, Kiera McNally, Makenna Thomas, Jayden Taft, Mason Baker, Camden Biggs, Arianna Argott, Bailey Palmer, Xavier Nelson, Hallie Bender, Alexa Johnson, Anna Burdette, Ridley Delperdang, John Henoch, Kenzie Kay, Riley Lamoreaux, Bayleigh Lamoreaux, Brianna Barker and Ethan Totten.
The KHS FFA Chapter officers include Halli Tibbits, president, Mia Fojtik, vice president, Makenna Thomas, secretary, Cally Leenerts, reporter, Ethan Totten, treasurer, Mason Baker, sentinel, Bailey Palmer, historian, and Hallie Bender, parliamentarian.
The banquet offered members, families, alumni and community supporters a chance to come together, reflect on the year’s successes, and look forward to the future of the chapter.
“This year, we didn’t just charter a chapter — we started a movement,” Martin added.
