FFA members strengthen agriculture by educating others on the importance of agriculture and how the agricultural industry impacts the quality of everyone’s life. Whether serving as a chapter officer or participating in community service, members learn how they can continue to grow as leaders, strengthen agriculture and support their local communities. Every FFA member makes a positive difference to those around them.
Members show their community how FFA members live by their motto, “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.” They develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Blue jackets adorned the auditorium at Pendleton County High School Sunday as Pendleton County FFA members celebrated another year of accomplishments at the chapter’s banquet.
The Pendleton County FFA Chapter has 75 members.
After McKenna Hedrick led the invocation, FFA members and guests enjoyed a wonderful meal provided by Dean’s Gap Farm (Scott and Becky Rightsell).
The opening ceremony was presided over by Pendleton County FFA officers, Lydia Heavner, president, Caleb Armentrout, vice president, Ella Johnston, secretary, Lucas Vandevander, treasurer, Jessica Parker, reporter, and Hedrick, sentinel, and Ron Hudson, FFA advisor.
After a video presentation of the year’s highlights, special awards and presentations were made.
Honorary membership is bestowed upon individuals who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA and who have rendered outstanding services. Honorary chapter membership was presented to Tina Eye.
Eye has served on the Habitat for Humanity board and as president of the Little League. She has coached youth soccer, minor league, T-ball and Babe Ruth and is a volunteer with the 4-H program.
In January of 2008, she joined the Pendleton County Rescue Squad as a driver and has been an emergency medical technician for 14 years. She is a member of the Upper Tract Volunteer Fire Department, where she serves as secretary, and the UTVFD Ladies Auxiliary. She is president of the Pendleton County Emergency Rescue and is on the 911 advisory and fire association boards. She has also helped with the FFA banquets for several years.
Eye has organized the angel tree, adopt a senior and many other community events.
Laney Burns of Parsons, eastern region vice president and an ag ed student at West Virginia University, shared her experiences as an FFA member. She stated that when she first put on the blue jacket, she had no idea how many doors it would open.
As a state officer, she has seen firsthand how the FFA isn’t just about agriculture, it’s about people. “It’s about building connections that shape who you are and where you’re headed,” she said. “These connections didn’t just help me grow as a leader, but also as a person.”
Through FFA, she received a full scholarship to study agriculture economics at West Virginia State University, transferring to WVU, and was gifted a paid internship through the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
“So if you’re wondering what FFA can do for you, look around. The connections you make here don’t end at the tap of the gavel. They stay with you and guide you even throughout your adult life,” she said. “Congratulations to each of you on your accomplishments this year.”
FFA Greenhand Degrees were awarded to Ty Armentrout, Jax Bennett, Shayne Clutter, Lucas DiFalco, Callie Dunn, Sam Eason, Lani Fertig, Mason Harper, Katie Heavner, Kiera Heavener, Aubrianna Holloway, Dakota Kimble, Katie Keyer, Alanna Miller, Phoebe Pownell, Cooper Smith, Lauren Sisson, Broty Sites, Alex Tracy, Zach Tracy, Kaylee Teter and Rylan Tilley. To earn a Greenhand Degree, FFA members must enroll in an agricultural education program and have plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience, learn and explain the FFA creed, mission and motto and salute, describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors, demonstrate an understanding of the FFA Code of Ethics, the proper use of the FFA jacket, the history of the organization, chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter’s program of activities, have access to the official FFA manual and student handbook and submit a written application for the degree.
Katie Heavner was awarded the FFA Star Greenhand Award. She participated in tailgates, chapter meetings, fruit sales by selling 93 units of fruit, Food for America and the freshman creed at the regional level. She is the daughter of J.D. and Janice Heavner of Upper Tract.
Recipients of the Chapter FFA Degree were Alex Adams, Olivia Gonshor, Cole Harper, Ty Heavner, Trace Lambert, Jessica Parker, Vivian Pownell, Emily Schell, Hannah Schell and Brody Wimer.
Chapter degrees are awarded to FFA members who have completed 180 hours (or the equivalent) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education, have an approved SAE, enrolled in an agriculture course, participated in the planning and implementation of at least three FFA activities, earned and productively invested at least $150 or have worked at least 45 hours outside of class time, or a combination of the two, through their SAE, lead a group discussion for 15 minutes, demonstrated five parliamentary law procedures, show progress toward achievement in FFA award programs, have satisfactory academic record, completed a minimum of 10 hours of community service and submitted a written application for the degree.
Awarded to an FFA member who excels in the field of agriculture, the FFA Star Chapter Farmer Award went to Ty Heavner. He has six different SAE programs: breeding sheep, market sheep, show goats, ham bacon hogs and placement at Brushy Mountain Tree Farm and Walker Poultry Farms. His total assets increased by $27,000 with his total SAE earnings over $9,000. He resides in Franklin with his parents, Travis and Teresa Heavner, and his sister, Tia.
The FFA Star Chapter Agribusiness Placement Award, which is given to an individual who excels in the field of agricultural business, was presented to Lambert. Owning Lambert Landscape Management, he mows, trims and performs other landscape activities for several different clients around the Town of Franklin. He also performs snow removal for a number of residents and businesses in the county. He has earned more than $5,000 during the last two years. He is the son of Chris and Penny Lambert of Franklin.
FFA members eligible to receive their State FFA degrees are Gena Lambert and Jameigh Miller. In order to earn a State FFA Degree, members must have received a chapter degree, been an active member for at least two years, earned and productively invested at least $1,000 or have worked 300 hours outside of the classroom through an SAE, demonstrated leadership ability by performing 10 parliamentary law procedures, given a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA, served as an FFA officer or committee chairperson or committee member, maintain a satisfactory academic record, helped plan the chapter’s program of activities, participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level and completed at least 25 hours of community service in a minimum of two different activities.
The Farm Credit Award, which is presented to an FFA member who excels in recording keeping and management, was earned by Hedrick. The award was presented by Trey Keyser.
Zach Bowers presented the annual Brandon Waggy Memorial Scholarship to Lydia Heavner.
Phoebe Pownell was recognized for participating in the Agriscience Fair.
Twelve FFA members participated in the annual South Branch Ham, Bacon and Egg Show and Sale. Members receiving checks from the sale were Caleb Armentrout, Larissa Greathouse, Cole Harper, Ty Heavner, Lydia Heavner, Hedrick, Jameigh Miller, Vivian Pownell, Emily Schell, Hannah Schell, Makayla Tingler and Vandevander.
The Smith Golden Orange Award was presented to Adams who sold more than 140 units of fruit for $3,600.
In the FFA Creed Speaking Career Development Event, FFA members deliver the creed from memory and responded to three questions. Katie Heavner and Kiera Heavener participated in the freshman and upper classman divisions, respectively.
Caleb Armentrout earned the first-place individual award in the state in the Poultry Evaluation Career Development Event. The poultry judging team consisting of Armentrout, Jameigh Miller, Cole Harper and Lydia Heavner placed third in the contest. Team members test their skills in the production, processing and marketing of chickens, turkeys, processed poultry products and eggs.
Lydia Heavner won the regional prepared public speaking leadership development event and will represent the eastern regional at the state convention. She wrote and delivered a six-to-eight-minute speech about a current agriculture-related topic.
Ty Heavner participated in the extemporaneous public speaking leadership development event. Participants are given 30 minutes to deliver a speech on one of three assigned agricultural topics. Students must learn to think on their feet and develop an argument quickly and persuasively.
The parliamentary procedure team consisting of Lani Fertig, Lydia Heavner, Hedrick, Johnston, Gena Lambert and Tingler placed first in the regional competition. Participates are given 11 minutes to properly transact business with additional questions from judges. The team will be representing the eastern region at the state convention.
Six members participated in the tractor driving contest where they took a written test, did a parts identification and drove either a large tractor or lawn and garden tractor through a course. Driving a large tractor were Caleb Armentrout and Ty Heavner with McKenna Hedrick, Wyatt Hinkle, Tanner Hedrick and Smith driving a small tractor. Ty Heavner and Hinkle earned the right to compete in the state contest.
Seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade FFA members are introduced to parliamentary procedure and how to conduct efficient meetings while building their communication skills through the conduct leadership development event. Participating were Eason, Katie Heavner, Bennett, Dunn, Katie Keyser, Phoebe Pownell and Teter.
Chapter leadership awards were present to Katie Heavner, Katie Keyser and Teter, ninth grade; Adams, Ty Heavner and Cole Harper, 10th grade; Madison Arbaugh, Gena Lambert and Jameigh Miller, 11th grade; and Caleb Armentrout, Lydia Heavner and McKenna Hedrick, 12th grade.
Community service awards were presented to Adams (66 hours) Lydia Heavner (46 hours) and Emily Schell (33 hours).
During FFA Week, members traveled to the county elementary schools talking about the importance of agriculture and FFA. Students in grades preschool to first were given coloring contest sheets which emphasized strawberries and grades second and third color farm theme sheets. Winners of the annual coloring contest were awarded a medal at the banquet. Receiving this honor were pre-kindergarten – Haileigh Sponaugle, North Fork Elementary School, Adelyn Hensley, Brandywine Elementary School and Jaycee Hedrick, Franklin Elementary School; kindergarten – Russell Warner, NFES, Hadley Reel, BES, and Catherine Eye, FES; first grade – Gracie Thompson, NFES, Ally Christian, BES, and River Gilley, FES; second grade – Delaney Thompson, NFES, Hunter Marstan, BES, and Charli Hiett, FES; and third grade – Kinsley Shane, NFES, Carson Mitchell, BES, and Everly Bowers, FES.
To conclude the banquet, chapter officers presented Hudson with a fire pit built by Vandevander and inscribed with the officers’ names and the FFA logo, as well as The Hudsons and Ron and Jamie.
