Mountain Lake FFA Chapter’s Annual Banquet highlighted the ability of the organization and its individuals to bring about positive change
The ability to bring positive change.
It is all about putting purpose into action to transform your school, your city, your state, the nation, our world – and yourself.
That call to leadership, service and skill and proficiency acquirement is summed up in the 2017 FFA Theme – Transform: Purpose to Action.
The 2017 Mountain Lake FFA Chapter Awards Banquet, recognizing achievements of its members over the course of the past year, was held tonight (Monday evening, April 3), in the Mountain Lake Public School’s Elementary Gymnasium. The meal was prepared and served by the Hi-Lo Club of Lakefield.
Handling the duties for the event were the Chapter officers – President Liana Blomgren, Vice-President Rebekah Klassen, Secretary Ruben Fentanez, Treasurer Sam Grev, Reporter Nathan Regier, Sentinel Katherine Hofmann, Historian Michael Watkins and Officer-At-Large Kenna Gardiner. Advisors include Lindsey Brockberg, Stephen Funk, Hayley Faber and Thomas D. Appel.
In the local chapter’s history, it has had only six advisors: J. H. Tschetter (1941-1951), James P. Crawford (1951-1981), Appel (1981-2015) and its current trio of Brockberg and Funk, both beginning in 2013 and Faber, beginning in 2016.
Following is a photo gallery of the award winners from the evening. (Not pictured are the American FFA Degree Award winners, both MLHS alumni. They include, Josh Fast, now attending South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota and Caleb Rempel, a student at the University of Minnesota/Crookston.):
HONORARY CHAPTER DEGREE recipients for 2017. From left, LaVonne Jungas, MLHS Secretary and Kyle Blomgren and Kim Blomgren, parents of Chapter President Liana Blomgren.
AT LEFT, LIANA Blomgren, recipient of the James P. Crawford Citizenship Award and at right, Rebekah Klassen, who was presented the Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award.
THE STEVE PFEIFFER CONSERVATION & Natural Resources Award recipient was Hunter Dahna.
KALLEY REMPEL, LEFT and Meredith Suess, right, were each presented the FFA Pride Award.
A TRIO OF “Stars.” From left, Nathan Regier, recipient of the Star Agricultural Placement Award; Paton Buller, named the Star Greenhand and Sam Grev, who was presented the Star Chapter Agribusiness Award.
MINNESOTA FFA DEGREE recipients. From left, Katherine Hofmann (who was presented her award in 2016), Kalley Rempel, Kenna Gardiner, Liana Blomgren and Rebekah Klassen (who was presented her award in 2016). Standing back, from left, Aaron Fast, Ruben Fentanez, Nathan Regier, Sam Grev and Andrew Fast. The 10 MLHS seniors represent one-fourth of this year’s graduating class.
CHAPTER PROFICIENCY AND Speaking Award winners. Front, from left, Sam Grev (Agricultural Sales), Katherine Hofmann (Food Science/Technology), Kenna Gardiner (Home and/or Communiy Development), Brook Sunderman (Turf Grass Management) and Caitlyn Johnson (Sheep Production). Middle, from left, Brodie Freeman (Poultry Production), Paton Buller (Creed Speaking), Ryan Blomgren (Beef Production), Kayla Vonk (Public Speaking), Jaden Hoek (Outdoor Recreation) and Madison Dahna (Diversified Horticulture Production). Back, from left, Dylan Krueger (Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance), Drake Harder (Diversified Agricultural Production), Michael Watkins (Agricultural Education and Diversified Livestock Production), Shadrick Hoek (Swine Production), Thomas Regier (Grain Production) and Nathan Regier (Diversified Crop Production). Not pictured are Kris Menken (Beef Production Entrepreneurship) and Travis Willaby (Wildlife Management).
CLASS SCHOLARSHIP AND Leadership Award winners. Front, from left, Destiny Sybounheuan (Freshman Scholarship), Brett Willaby (Freshman Scholarship), Kayla Vonk (Sophomore Leadership), Sierra Pankratz (Sophomore Scholarship and Leadership) and Rebekah Klassen (Senior Scholarship). Middle, from left, Jareya Harder (Junior Scholarship), Michael Watkins (Junior Scholarship and Leadership), Braden Rempel (Sophomore Scholarship), Liana Blomgren (Senior Scholarship), Jae Faber (Junior Scholarship), Jenneel Rodney (Junior Leadership) and Madison Dahna (Sophomore Leadership). Back, from left, Regan Syverson (Sophomore Scholarship), Adam Karschnik (Freshman Scholarship), Fletcher Hanson (Freshman Scholarship), Drake Harder (Sophomore Scholarship), Andrew Fast (Senior Scholarship) and Sam Grev (Senior Scholarship). Not pictured is Weston Osland (Junior Scholarship).
TRAP SHOOT AND Chapter Crops Show Award winners. From left, Hunter Dahna (First Place in Senior Trap Shoot Division), Nathan Regier (Second Place in Senior Trap Shoot Division and Chapter Crops Show winner) and Noah Rempel (First Place in Junior Trap Shoot Division). The summertime Trap Shoot League for those ages 12+ is sponsored by the Mountan Lake FFA Chapter, Cottonwood County Fish & Game and the Mountain Lake/Odin/Ormsby Sportsmen’s Club.
FRUIT SALES AWARD winners. At left, the winning team of twins Jacob and Meredith Suess, and at right, the top individual salesperson, Aleesha Jepsen. A total of 1,080 boxes of fruit were sold. Jepsen raised $2,295 and the Suess siblings totaled $2,100 in sales.
THIS PAIR PARTICIPATED in performances of the National FFA Choir at last fall’s National FFA Convention. At left, Ruben Fentanez and at right, David Hall. Minnesota sent four representatives to the National Choir – and the Mountain Lake FFA Chapter claimed half of those voices.
