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Challis FFA Chapter holds last annual banquet

by Shasta Benson
FFA Reporter

FFA Advisor Dwight Simmons and FFA President Mat Stone.

On May 14, the Challis FFA Chapter held their annual banquet like every other year, but this year will be our last. The past year, our FFA members have worked very hard to do the best of their ability and make the best of things that were happening throughout the year. We have had a busy year and would like to thank our parents and teacher for all their support; we couldn't have done it without you.

Our special guests this year were Mr. and Mrs. Simmons, Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Monte Severe, Kelly Harvey, and Rosa Martinez. These people have made a positive difference in our organization and we appreciate all their support.

Each year in September, the Challis FFA Chapter travels to Blackfoot to compete in the Upper Snake River District Judging Contests at the Eastern Idaho State Fair. Teams this year competed in Livestock Judging and Horse Judging. In Livestock Judging members place 6-8 classes of market and breeding animals. The classes include sheep, swine, and beef. Members of this year's team were: Becca Hanson, Christen Chilson, Tomi Quigley-Baker, and Evan Fisher. The high individual out of our chapter was Evan Fisher. In the Horse Judging contests students judge eight classes of horses. Members of the Challis team included: Mathew Stone, Katy Bitton, and Shasta Benson. The high individual out of our chapter was Shasta Benson. Over all the team did very well, placing 2nd in the contest and 2nd in the South Upper Snake River District.

The Challis FFA Chapter attended the District Soil Judging contest, which was held at West Jefferson High School. In the Soils Contest the students judge four different fields of soil for suitability, for crop production, and one field for housing site. Students judge many different soils characteristics, such as soil texture, structure, permeability, and other factors. The soils team consisted of Shasta Benson, Tomi Quigley-Baker, Mathew Stone, and Evan Fisher. The high point individual for our chapter was Evan Fisher.

Leadership activities and classroom achievements are emphasized in the FFA Achievement awards program. Members in all types of instructional programs can earn recognition for FFA involvement. The achievements awards go out to those who participated in these categories: Beginning and Advanced Welding, Ag Fabrication, Horticulture and Small Engines. Those in beginning welding were Rosana Arrizubieta, Ashley Baker, Jason Chilson, Dallas Hammond, Katy Bitton, and Trevor Dowton. Advanced welding participants were Eric Hobbs, Kristen Bloxham and Cody Stranger.

Ag Fabrication class consisted of Shasta Benson, Christen Chilson, Evan Fisher, Jacob Ingram, Mathew Stone, Brandi Stranger, and Charlie Hatch. Horticulture included: Shasta Benson, Christen Chilson, Tomi Quigley-Baker, Mathew Stone, Hannah Hanson, Becca Hanson, and Evan Fisher. This year in Small Engine class were Katy Bitton and Trevor Dowton.

Stacy & Cheryl Baker Stacy and Cheryl Baker received letters of appreciation.

Lisa Benson and Heidi Thomas FFA honorary membership awards were given to Lisa Benson (l) and Heidi Thomas.

Monte Severe received the FFA Outstanding Service Award.

The FFA Awards
This year the Green Hand FFA Degree went out to Rosana Arrizubieta, Stacey Benson, Jason Chilson and Trevor Dowton. Star Chapter Green Hand was Rosana Arrizubieta. Rosana also recited the FFA Creed for all our members and guests present at the banquet. The second degree of membership in FFA is the Chapter Farmer, which went to Ashley Baker and Tomi Quigley-Baker. The Star Chapter Farmer for this year was Shasta Benson. The third Degree of membership is the State FFA Degree, which went out to Dani Thomas this year and she worked extra hard to receive it.

The outstanding SAE Award also went to Dani Thomas for all of her hard work and dedication. This years Outstanding Mechanic Award went out to Evan Fisher. The DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award is for the outstanding agricultural student that is sponsored by Monsanto Company. This award goes out to Mathew Stone.

Cheryl and Stacy Baker both received the letters of appreciation on behalf of the Challis FFA. Monte Severe was chosen for the Outstanding Service Award. The Honorary Membership Awards went out to Heidi Thomas and Lisa Benson.

Idaho pins
The Idaho pins represent the number of years a member has been an active FFA Member. For the first year members an Idaho pin is presented, after that each year a bar is presented to the person for how many years they participate. The members who received their first year pin were: Rosana Arrizubieta, Stacey Benson, Jason Chilson and Trevor Dowton. Those who received the second year bar were: Ashley Baker, Kristen Bloxham, and Cody Stranger. The third year bar went out to Evan Fisher, Christen Chilson, Shasta Benson, Dani Thomas, Eric Hobbs, Tomi Quigley-Baker and Hannah Hanson. Members who received the four-year bar were: Brandi Stranger and Mathew Stone.

New officers were not selected for next year due to the closing of our program. This dramatic decision has not been an easy one for the FFA members, parents and teachers to deal with. Maybe in a few years everyone will realize what an impact this organization and program has made in this community.

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