Star awards presented at Centre FFA banquet
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Centre FFA chapter had 36 members this year. Several received top chapter awards May 6 at the annual banquet.
Senior Derek Belton was named chapter star farmer. He served as 2002-2003 chapter president and south central district secretary. He is actively involved in maintaining a 20-head herd of beef cows.
Senior Mark Pagenkopf was named chapter star in agricultural placement. He enjoys working in the ag shop and is employed with Deer Trail Implement in Marion, where he is responsible for general maintenance on equipment and repair of small engines. He plans to attend John Deere mechanic school through Fort Scott Community College in Pittsburgh.
Jackie Klenda, a freshman, was named star greenhand because of her active involvement in FFA, agricultural practices, and scholastics. She owns 10 head of cattle and two sows, and co-owns a horse. She is responsible for the care of her animals and helps with other chores on the farm. She maintains a 4.0 grade point average.
Scholarship
Several college scholarships were awarded.
Derek Belton, Trisha Naerebout, Kristin Mueller, Mark Pagenkopf, and Cecilia Rziha received scholarships from the Centre FFA Alumni Association, presented by Francie Mueller.
Mrs. Earl Wineinger presented the $500 Earl Wineinger Memorial Scholarship to Derek Belton. He also received the $500 Leo Jirak Memorial Scholarship presented by Francis Jirak.
Recognized for maintaining a grade point average of 3.5 or above were seniors Derek Belton, Trisha Naerebout, Mark Pagenkopf, and Cecilia Rziha; juniors Andrea Carlson, Brent Carlson, and Joseph Forsberg; sophomore Shaina Makovec; and freshmen Andrew Donahue, Bryant Gutsch, Jackie Klenda, and Tad Remy.
Awards
Jackie Klenda and Andrew Donahue received creed-speaking awards. Klenda placed first in the district contest and will compete at the state level later this month.
Top fruit salesman was Josh Spooner.
Proficiency awards in numerous ag-related fields also were given out.
Derek Belton, Andrea Carlson, and Kristin Mueller have earned state FFA degrees, to be received at the state convention later this month.
Jenna Tajchman and Dustin Suffield, both 2002 graduates of CHS, will receive American FFA degrees at the national convention this fall.
Inge Nordstrom, head cook at Centre High School, was inducted into Centre FFA as an honorary member.
Senior officers Derek Belton, Kristin Mueller, and Cecilia Rziha presented a slide show honoring chapter adviser Cary Granzow for his many years of leadership of the Centre chapter.
Guest speaker was Janis Peterson, wife of Galen "Pete" Peterson of Burdick.
The 2003-2004 officers installed were: Laura Klenda, president; Joe Forsberg, vice president; Andrea Carlson, secretary; Aaron Barney, treasurer; Jackie Klenda, reporter; Nathan Brunner, sentinel; and Shaina Makovec, student council representative.
