WORTHINGTON -- Sarah Jacobs was named the Worthington High School FFA Star Entrepreneur, while Nicole Burkard was recognized as the Star Placement award winner during the chapter's annual FFA Banquet Monday night in Worthington.
The evening was filled with highlights of the past FFA year, and numerous awards and scholarships were presented.
Paul Rogers and Jim Kolander were selected as the Honorary FFA Degree recipients this year for the work they have done to further the local program.
Stephanie Behrens was honored as the Star Greenhand, an award that is given out each year to a freshman FFA member who has excelled in the organization.
While they won't receive their pin and certificate until the Minnesota FFA Convention in late April, Worthington FFA members earning the State FFA Degree this year were recognized Monday night. The group includes Matthew Schutte in ag placement for his work at Newport Labs; Nicole Burkard and Josh Pomranke in ag placement for their work at Ace Hardware; and Sarah Jacobs in ag entrepreneurship in swine production.
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Proficiency Awards were presented to FFA members for excellence in recordkeeping for their Supervised Agricultural Experience. Honorees were Nicole Burkard in ag service placement (Ace Hardware), Sarah Jacobs in swine production, Taya Nelson in ag service placement (Hy-Vee), Josh Pomranke in ag service placement (Ace Hardware), Matthew Schutte in emerging ag technology (Newport Labs), Craig Soderholm in diversified livestock (hog and beef farms) and Sara Henderschiedt in ag service placement (Hy-Vee).
The Jerry Russell scholarship recipient was Nicole Burkard, while Brittney Elsing received the Ray Cuperus scholarship. Sara Jacobs was awarded the Martha Olson scholarship.
Leadership and scholarship awards were presented to Jackie Martin, freshman leadership; Lauren LeBrun, freshman scholarship; Stephanie Behrens, sophomore leadership; Mark Schutte, sophomore scholarship; Evan Almberg, junior leadership; Maggie Fornoff, junior scholarship; Matt Schutte, senior leadership; and Josh Pomranke, senior scholarship.
Speaking awards were given to Dayton Williamson for extemporaneous speaking, Jackie Martin for Creed speaking, and Sarah Jacobs for prepared public speaking.
Taya Nelson received an appreciation award, while Josh Pomranke was the recipient of the Food Stand Award.
Pomranke was also awarded the trap shooting trophy for his first-place finish in the chapter's trap shooting contest.
Top fruit sales winners were also recognized, including Jennifer Scholtes, Taya Nelson and Ashley Kingery.
Two members of the Worthington chapter served as Region FFA officers in 2008-2009, including Region President Kaylee Williamson and Region Officer-At-Large Sarah Jacobs. The two were also recognized Monday for their service to the FFA organization.
