The 2020 Lone Tree FFA Awards Night on the Lawn was held on Sunday, June 14 outside next to the Lone Tree school playground and bus barn.

Unfortunately, many of the events FFA members looked forward to in 2020 were held virtually or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This did not stop FFA members from being active and finding a way to meet in their chapter t-shirts to celebrate each other’s accomplishments while social distancing. Immediate family members could bring lawn chairs and all who attended kept distance from one another.

Members eligible for their greenhand and chapter degrees received these in January at the Degree Ceremony. Of these members, those who were active above the chapter level were recognized at the banquet. The six individuals who received the discovery degree had all competed together in Ag Impact at the Virtual District FFA Contest and received a silver. These individuals are:

Discovery: Zellene Bradshaw, Hogan Eden, Dominic Graap, Katie Franker, Kelly Marshek and Weston Waldschmidt.

Greenhand: Oliver Altenhofen, Ella Buser, Jack Buser, Madelyn Eden, Colton Jondle, Darian Ketchum, Mitchell Koedam, Riley Krueger, Avery Shalla, Emma Slaughter, Javid Smith, Braden Viers, Lindsay Werbach, Ethan Willoz and Wyatt Yoder.

Chapter: Lauren Bell, Matthew Fellows, Tessa Galloway, Avery Grover, Hunter Hain, Xavier Hayes, Alivia Hemsted, Adam Knock, Alyssa Knock, Arlie Lorack, Katelyn Maldonado, Josie Mullinnix, Cade Patterson, Danielle Pettitt, Tyler Rundlett, Cade Shield, Madi Sobolik and Kyle Zaruba.

Star Greenhand (awarded to a greenhand that is active in the chapter, has demonstrated leadership, and has a strong SAE program): Lindsay Werbach.

Many members were recognized for receiving the prestigious Iowa Degree. This is the highest degree FFA members can receive through the state of Iowa. The recipients were Bryce Abbott, Maddie Altenhofen, Zane Arnold, Abby Buckman, Alberto Cortes, Will Hotz, Holley Johnson, Allison Marshek, Tyler McCullough, Tim Mills, Natalie Patterson, Bailey Pierson, Brynne Ronan, Derick Sandburg, Haley Sweeting, Alex Viner, Ryan Werbach, Abby Westfall and Ashley Yedlik.

Top Fruit Salespeople, selling $1000 or more: Bryce Abbott, Arlie Lorack, Gage Rife, Allison Marshek, Kelly Marshek and Brynne Ronan.

Third overall — Allison Marshek; second overall — Kelly Marshek; 1st overall — Brynne Ronan.

State Academic Achievement Award: Abby Buckman, Holley Johnson, Tyler McCullough, Natalie Patterson, Bailey Pierson and Cale Yoder.

Chapter Leadership Awards (this award symbolizes individuals that go above and beyond in chapter activities and involvement): Freshman — Madelyn Eden; Sophomore — Adam Knock; Junior — Allison Marshek; Senior — Haley Sweeting.

Committee Chair Recognition

Test Plot Committee Chairs: Abby Westfall, Ryan Werbach and Bryce Abbott.

Community Service Chairs: Adam Knock and Arlie Lorack.

PALS Committee Chair: Maddie Altenhofen.

Public Relations Chair: Ashley Yedlik.

Hunger Service Day Committee Chairs: Adam Knock and Alyssa Knock.

Curiosity Award (Members who went out of their way to try something new): Avery Shalla, Mitchell Koedam, Riley Krueger, Ella Buser, Braden Viers, Lindsey Werbach and Ethan Willoz.

Proficiency Awards

Sheep Production: Allison Marshek.

Goat Production: Zane Arnold.

Service Learning: Abby Buckman.

Grain Production: Ryan Werbach

Diversified Livestock Production: Haley Sweeting

Agriculture Services: Bryce Abbott

Agriculture Education: Maddie Altenhofen

Chapter Star in Agricultural Placement: Maddie Altenhofen

Zane Arnold was recognized for his achievement in the Stars Over Iowa Award Program. Zane was selected as one of the six finalists in Agricultural Production for his Goat Entrepreneurship SAE.

Senior awards

Top Senior Attitude Award: Abby Buckman

Top Senior Growth Award: Zane Arnold

Top Senior Teamwork Award: Derrick Sandburg

Top Senior Leadership Award: Haley Sweeting

Top Senior Success Award: Holley Johnson

Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment for the Top Senior in Agriculture: Haley Sweeting

Robert K. Dennis Scholarship: Tim Mills

Friends of the FFA Scholarships: Haley Sweeting

Seniors were also recognized for all that they’ve done in the LT FFA throughout their time in high school, and their future plans were shared.

Officer teams

The FFA officer team was recognized for filling out the National Chapter Award and earning a gold rating at the State Level, 13th place, and advancing to Nationals. This Award encourages chapters to develop and use a POA. This is only one of the many accomplishments they achieved over the year.

The night concluded with the installation of the new officer team, which will be serving and leading the chapter throughout the next year. The leaders elected were: Co-Presidents — Alberto Cortes and Alex Viner; Vice President — Allison Marshek; Secretary — Lindsay Werbach;Treasurer — Mitchell Koedam; Reporter — Maddie Altenhofen; Sentinel — Arlie Lorack

Overall, the Lone Tree FFA Awards Night on the Lawn was a successful evening spent recognizing FFA members for their great achievements. While everyone wanted a traditional banquet, the Lone Tree FFA Awards Night on the Lawn was one that shows the strength of the LT FFA. The chapter is greatly appreciative of all who came to celebrate the amazing LT FFA members and is anticipating another great year.