On March 25, Bowling Green FFA members, parents and community supporters came together and celebrate 92 years of Bowling Green FFA.
The chapter had the opportunity to celebrate the fact that the Bowling Green FFA Chapter was named a top chapter not only in the state of Ohio, but a top chapter in the nation. The banquet consisted of a meal and an awards ceremony. The meal was catered by Bowling Green State University Catering Services.
The awards ceremony started with announcing the honorary degrees, with four degrees awarded.
Dave Stacklin is the supervisor for agriculture programs at Penta Career Center. Stacklin has supported the FFA chapter by providing resources for the department as well as the opportunity to attend FFA activities and events.
Scott and Bethany Eschedor. Scott and Bethany Eschedor have been strong supporters of the Bowling Green FFA for many years. They have not only watched and encouraged all three of their children to be involved in the program, all serving as chapter presidents, but have always been more than willing to volunteer their time to help. Specifically, for the last two years, Bethany has coordinated the silent auction at the FFA Banquet which has provided valuable scholarship money for FFA seniors.
Josh Iler has helped the program with everything from supporting fundraisers to sitting in the dunk tank to helping unload fruit.
Bill and Melanie Ferguson have served cake and drinks at the greenhand ceremonies and been dunked at the tailgate. They truly epitomize the motto “Doing to Serve.”
This year’s Blue and Gold award was given to Bowling Green High Schools Transportation Director Toby Snow. He may not always be front and center but his presence never goes unnoticed.
The chapter also recognized Proficiency Award winners, which are given to members in recognition of outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. This winners were:
Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication-Cole Brokaw
Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance-Easton Schick and MJ Walters
Ag Processing-Natalee Harris and Drew Thomas
Ag Services-Tanner Steffan and Ashton Studer
Beef Production-Madison Carrillo (Brian and Stacie Anderson-Sponsor)
Dairy Production-Laney Crawford and Eddie Eschedor
Diversified Horticulture-Gretchen Germann
Diversified Livestock-Easton Schick and Kenzie Spangenberg
Food Science and Technology-Peyton Bosworth, Lindsay Eisel, Emma Ferguson, Audrey Geyman, Cece Marovich, and Emma Thompson
Equine Science-Torie Rosales
Landscape Management-Ethan Helvoigt and Hunter Sockman
Outdoor Recreation-Layne Mangette
Service Learning-Caden Wisniewski
Sheep Production-Drew Thomas
Small Animal Production and Care-Cece Dye
Vegetable Production-Eddie Eschedor
Turf Grass Management-Evan Romero
The Jamie Belleville Beef Award, which is a $300 scholarship, was awarded to Madison Carrillo. . Belleville was a four year member of the Bowling Green FFA and held the office of president his senior year, 1964-65. Agriculture was a huge part of his life, and he co-owned the family farm with his brother Mike. They raised beef cattle and owned a meat processing plant and a retail market, Belleville Brothers Market. He would be honored to support a member of Bowling Green FFA who is taking a beef project to the Wood County Fair.
The members were also presented with the Chapter Awards. These are presented to members who excel in the areas specified by each award:
Star Greenhand- Grace O’Connell and Gavin Roessner
Star Agriscience-Lindsay Eisel (Wood County SWCD-Sponsor)
Star Chapter Farmer-Drew Thomas (Mark and Melissa DeSmith-Sponsor)
Star Ag Placement-Hunter Sockman (Germann Family Enterprises- sponsor)
Star Ag Business-Evan Romero (Gene and Rita Klotz-sponsor)
Ag Credit 110% Award-Peyton Bosworth and Kenzie Spangenberg (Ag Credit- sponsor)
Outstanding Senior Award-Emma Ferguson and Eddie Eschedor (Mike and the late Mary Lou Shertzer-sponsor)
Star Accounting Award-Madison Carrillo (Premier Bank- sponsor)
Spirit of FFA Award
Freshman- Shawn Carney, Angela Ducat, Addison Schurger, Kate Howick
Sophomore-Averie Crawford, Audrina Layfield, Addie Naus, Annie Urban
Junior- Wyatt Bechstein, Zack Bechstein, Cece Dye, MJ Walters
Senior- Easton Schick, Laney Crawford, Audrey Geyman, Ethan Helvoigt
This year’s Senior Scholarships were awarded to 8 deserving students of the graduating class of 2023. The Bronze Scholarship was awarded to Ethan Helvoigt, Kenzie Spangenberg, and Laney Crawford. The Silver Scholarship was awarded to Madison Carrillo, Emma Ferguson, and Peyton Bosworth. Finally, the Gold Scholarship was awarded to Eddie Eschedor and Lindsay Eisel.
The night ended with the induction of BG FFAs 2023-2024 officer team:
President- Addie Naus
Vice-President- Drew Thomas
Secretary- Averie Crawford
Treasurer- Aiden Meyer
Reporter- Annie Urban
Historian-Kate Suter
Sentinel- Cole Brokaw
Student Adviser- Cece Dye
Bowling Green FFA is a satellite program of Penta Career Center.