New officers named for 2021-2022 academic year

“The meeting room will now come to order,” FFA President Monica Derks said from the Stanley-Boyd High School Gymnasium as the local FFA chapter held its annual awards ceremony at 5 p.m. Saturday May 1. Preceded with dinner in the Oriole ‘birdfeeder/cafeteria room at four p.m. that evening, the organization with roots dating back to 1929 in Stanley was called to order. With invitees seated by family on the north side of the gym, President Derks continued, Calling on each of the officers (Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Sentinel, Student Advisor, and Mr. Donnerbauer) to recount their role and why it was important. Following upon this, officer families each received yellow flowers. Then it was into awards.

Named Honorary FFA member was Jewel Fredrickson, sister of co-vice president Jade Fredrickson, serving in the role with McKenzie Derks.

Following the naming of honorary FFA member, a scholarship award was presented by Betty Nenzel, wife of former Ag teacher Clifford Nenzel. The memorial scholarship went to McKenzie Derks, who it was announced would be attending CVTC “to learn all she can about growing Christmas trees, apple trees, and pumpkins.” Nenzel also presented a $500 check to Advisor Jordan Donnerbauer “to find something fun for the kids to do” on account of the stress of the pandemic over the past year. After local FFA Vice President Jade Fredrickson and then Treasurer Ryan Flaaten briefly took the podium, it was time for State Vice President Ben Styer to give some remarks. Styer chose to share the story of July 5, 2015, when his family had transitioned their 700-cow dairy farm to a rotary parlor. It took longer than expected, and his dad had even popped a few ribs from being pinned to the wall by one of the cows. Whereas today it seemed good to have made the change, that wasn’t how it felt to Styer at the time.

“13-year-old Ben was tired,” he said of his experience, then going on to say he thought it was “very coincidental” that the 2021 State FFA convention was being held virtually July 5 of this year, six years later. Long story short? Stick with it, even in trials. The end was worth it.

Following the remarks by Styer were the Discovery Degree Award sponsored by Westaby Trucking and Ace Ethanol went to Alex Williams next were the Greenhand Awards sponsored by Forward Financial were presented, to Tate Derks, Alexa Liszewski, and Morgan Schuebel respectively.

Cadott Grain and Cloverleaf Farm Supply sponsored the Chapter Awards given to Ryan Flaaten and Evy Williams With Gina Sokup announcing, it was into the Chapter Star Farmer Award next, sponsored by Plombon Funeral Service. The winner was McKenzie Derks. Sokup also announced the Star in Agricultural Placement awarded to Issabella “Bella” Green, the award being sponsored by Kutzee’s Supper Club.

Following this it was on to the Star in Agribusiness, awarded to Ryan Flaaten and sponsored by LaGrander’s Dairy. Flaaten also won the Star Chapter Award sponsored by Harris Chiropractic, with the Flaaten family engaged in honeybee keeping.

Northwestern Bank and Lube Suppliers sponsored the Career Development and Leadership Development Awards presented to recipients as follows.

In Dairy Judging McKenzie Derks, Monica Derks, and Tate Derks. In Nursery Landscape, Gina Sokup and Morgan Schuebel. In Parliamentary Procedure, Monica Derks, McKenzie Derks, Jade Fredrickson, Haley Adkins, Issabella Green, and Gina Sokup. In Employment Skills Issabella Green and Emily Flaatten. In Discussion, Haley Adkins and Jade Fredrickson. In Prepared, Jade Fredrickson.

Next to be awarded were Most Outstanding Awards. are sponored by Wellner Arboriculture, as follows.

Most Outstanding Freshman went to Tate Derks. Most Outstanding Sophomore was Evy Williams. Most Outstanding Junior was Gina Sokup. Most Outstanding Senior went to Jade Fredrickson.

For the State Proficiency winners, awards went to Gina Sokup, Bella Green, Jade Fredrickson, McKenzie Derks, Monica Derks, Ryan Flaatten, Emily Flaatten, and Alexa Liszewski.

Next after State Proficiency awards were Fruit Sale Awards, these being sponsored by Debbies on Broadway. Fruit Sale Awards were presented to Monica, McKenzie, and Tate Derks.

From there it was on to the Outstanding member award, sponsored by Firehouse Friends with the award in its 13th year of existence. The recipient was Monica Derks, with the award presented by Deanne Patten from Firehouse Friends.

From there it was into FFA scholarship awards awarded to Emily Flaatten, Monica Derks, McKenzie Derks, and Jade Fredrickson.

Closing out the annual award ceremony for 2021 was a slideshow, with photos, country music, and senior officer departing addresses, to share their last thoughts. After photos that showed fruit sales, paintballing, tie blankets, officer retreats, a senior ice fishing trip to the Mississippi River, along with a winter trip to Bruce Mound.

And the speaking contest, each of the departing officers gave their final thoughts. So what were they? We have some outtakes.

President Monica Derks: “Simply stated, FFA has made me the person I am today.”

Co-Vice President McKenzie Derks: “Open your eyes to all the opportunities FFA has to offer…trust me, you will never regret it.”

Co-Vice President Jade Fredrickson: “FFA is something that will hold a special place in my heart the rest of my life.”

Emily Flaaten: “Summing up a huge part of my middle school and high school career is not an easy task.” Flaaten gave reference to many activities and finding her best friend.

From the slide show, it was into announcing the organizational officers for 2021-22, as follows: Reporter: Issabella “Bella” Green Sentinel: Ryan Flaaten Treasurer: Hannah Hazard Secretary: Evy Williams Vice President: Morgan Schuebel President: Gina Sokup President Derks then passed the baton of leadership to Sokup, who took the podium. Directing a question of further business to Bella Green (no further meeting business), Sokup then asked if there was anything else, to which the answer was “yes.” Following upon this, Mr. Donnerbauer was presented a token of appreciation in the form of a red cooler and campfire sticks, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting was then adjourned by new FFA President Gina Sokup.

FFA Advisor Jordan Donnerbauer is presented with a token of appreciation in the form of a cooler and campfire roasting sticks.

2020-21 FFA President Monica Derks addresses the FFA Awards Banquet attendees. Saturday.