PEMBERVILLE – Those attending the annual Eastwood FFA banquet were treated to a new format for this
year’s event.
While the Pemberville Legion catered this year’s event, for the first time in many years, the banquet was
not held at the Legion’s banquet center. Those attending ate at the high school’s lunch room before
moving to the auditorium for the awards presentations.
Retired FFA adviser David Little and Nathan, Nolan and Nick Eckel were recognized with honorary chapter
membership. Logan Browne was recognized as the top senior; Lane Kemner and Garrett Tuck were awarded
Star Chapter honors, while Jolynn Nissen and Allison Abke were named the Star Greenhand recipients.
Little was the adviser of the Eastwood FFA Chapter from 1978 to 2013. Though his award was announced he
was not in attendance and it was announced he will be honored with this award at the 2015 banquet.
The Eckel Family has been supporters of the Eastwood FFA chapter even before the three honorees
graduated. Since 2000, the family has donated charcoal every year for the annual chicken barbecue. Each
of the men received both their FFA State and American degree honors; Nathan, the eldest Eckel in 2000
and 2001; followed by Nolan in 2002 and in 2004; and the youngest, Nick, in 2007 and 2009.
They also donate a scholarship to the chapter along with their mother, Denise, in memory of their father,
Jim.
The Top Senior in Agriculture Award, formerly the DeKalb Award, was presented to Browne, who was said to
be "a scholar in the classroom and in the community. His introduction called him "an
outstanding role-model and class act." Browne has performed countless community service activities,
including travelling to Jamaica on mission trips.
Kemner was named recipient of the Star Chapter Production award recognizing his strong production,
including 20 acres of corn and soybeans, Supervised Agricultural Experience projects, balanced with
outstanding FFA activities, accomplishments, scholarship, along with school and community leadership.
The Star Chapter Ag Business award, recognizing the strongest business placement in the chapter went to
Tuck. He has worked more than 3,000 hours at the Morlock Dairy Farm where he has learned countless
skills.

The Star Greenhand award is given to first year members in the FFA. Both Nissen and Abke have
participated in many activities and have gained great knowledge in leadership. Abke was the chapter’s
top fruit seller, and Nissen has participated in various competitions and will be serving the chapter as
its 2014-2015 treasurer.
Bailey Kruse was named the recipient of the AgCredit 110 Percent Award. Her efforts include staying
"after school and in evenings to help out with FFA activities to make sure that everything has been
done and done correctly." It was also noted which illustrated her effort was that Kruse went
"above and beyond the call of duty to help out" including at the chicken barbecue by staying
late to help clean up and standing in a downpour holding down the tarp so it did not blow away so others
could cook chicken.
Christine Russell was named the first recipient of the Dave Little Extra Mile Scholarship. Little retired
last year after 35 years of service as the agriculture instructor and FFA adviser.
Though he was not in attendance due to a family commitment, Little sent a note announcing the scholarship
which read, in part, "It is a $350 scholarship going to a student who goes above and beyond in the
areas of FFA involvement and community service."
Other awards and scholarships presented included:
• Kirsten Ameling and Logan Browne, each were awarded the Mitch Aring Memorial Scholarship. Named for the
2000 graduate, the scholarship recognizes those who share Aring’s passion of the agricultural industry,
cattle breeding and showmanship.
• Lane Kemner and Garrett Tuck, each were recognized with the Howard and Helen Grover Memorial
Scholarship, awarded to seniors with an outstanding GPA and SAE projects, and who have developed
leadership skills.
• Nathan Gerwin, Eastwood 2000 FFA Scholarship, awarded to a member who has outstanding leadership and
SAE projects.
• Beau Kerr, Clarence C. Spoerl Memorial Scholarship
• Josh Isaacson, Jim Eckel Memorial Scholarship
• Aubrey Peters, Wood County Soil and Water Award
In addition several seniors received scholarships, and others were awarded FFA Camp scholarships.
Proficiency awards
Proficiency awards are designed to recognize students for excelling in their SAEs. In order to compete
for proficiencies, students must complete their record books, and a lengthy application.
• Kirsten Ameling, beef entrepreneurship for more than 20 market steers. She was fourth in district one.

• Logan Browne, beef production, as he placed second in District 1 for raising and showing cattle at the
county, state, and national level.
• Tuck, dairy placement, for his work at the dairy.
Career development events participants were recognized for their accomplishments during the year. Also,
all members with a 3.5 or greater grade point average or better were recognized.
Each year the chapter has two main fundraisers, the fruit sale and the Chicken barbecue. The chapter sold
more than $25,000 worth of fruit and made a profit of more than $6,000. In one day more than 50 students
made almost 200 baskets of fruit.
Allison Abke was the top seller for the chapter with 109.25 units. Harold Dippman sold 91 units of fruit
and placed second. Nathan Gerwin and Andy Dix each sold 55 units of fruit for a third place tie, and in
fifth place was Kimberly Eschedor with 48.25 units sold.
Kimberly Eschedor sold 75 meals and was the top seller for the chicken barbecue fundraiser. This year the
chapter prepared and sold 900 meals.
Dippman sold 66 meals for second place and Liz Hirzel sold 46 meals for third place.
The leadership award is given to students who are not officers, yet have shown great potential for
leadership in the FFA, school and community. Those receiving the leadership award were Allison Abke,
Lucas Jackson, Makahlen Hiser, Jonathan Konecny, Jessica Lang, Meghan Melcher, and Jolynn Nissen, for
the eighth grade and freshman class; sophomores Hunter Frobose and Megan Rolf; junior Harrison Patton
and senior Beau Kerr.
The 2014-15 officer team was installed with Liz Hirzel, president; Landon Richards, vice president;
Jonelle Nissen, secretary; Jolynn Nissen, treasurer; Jonathan Konecny, reporter; Harold Dippman,
sentinel; and Hannah Frobose, student advisor.