FFA banquet recognizes successful year

Pictured above are the current FFA officers. The Bullard Future Farmers of America reflected back on a successful year at the annual FFA Banquet Thursday, May 8, at the Bullard Elementary Cafetorium. Bullard FFA experienced great success, raising over $500,000 in the 2013-2014 school year.

Several teams also advanced to area and state competitions. The radio team won second place at Area and advanced to State, placing 14th. The farm business management team received third place at Area and 15th place at State. The livestock team took home first place at Area and advanced to State, winning 24th place. The nursery and landscape team won fourth place in Area, advancing to State where they were ranked 31st. The forestry team received first place in Smith County, advancing to State and placing 38th. The milk quality team won first place in Area and 41st in State. Bullard FFA had several teams fall short of qualifying for State competition, with the junior creed team place fourth, agriculture issues team placing sixth, agriculture advocacy placing seventh, junior agricultural skills placing eighth, and senior agriculture skills team placing eighth at Area competition.

At right are the retiring officers. Several FFA members placed in individual competition at Area this year. Sean Dempsey placed ninth in Farm Business Management. Kalyn Johnson received the Overall High Individual award in Milk Quality. Tyler Kelly scored as the Overall High Individual in Livestock. Zach May placed third in Livestock. Kristina Parcher placed ninth in Milk Quality. Daniel Shumate received sixth place in Farm Business Management. Sam Spiller received sixth place in Nursery and Landscape. Jane Smith won ninth place in Veterinary Medicine. Hannah Lloyd won first place in Public Prepared Speaking at the District competition, advancing the Area.

Pictured above are the FFA award winners from the annual banquet. The chapter also showed several agriculture mechanics projects at competitions this year. Jake Harris and Chris Barrett exhibited a 32 foot custom built pipe trailer, winning Grand Champion in the Open Shop competition at the Smith County Youth Expo and Blue Ribbon Project at the Houston Livestock Show. Abbey Covey, Rylie Hellman, and Tray Johnson exhibited a small animal surgical table, winning a blue ribbon and fourth in class at the Houston Livestock Show. Karlie Lowe won a blue ribbon for her portable growing stand at the Houston Livestock Show. Tristan Bishop was named Champion of Market Shop Projects for his fire pit at the Smith County Youth Expo. Dillon White won Reserve of Market Shop Projects at the Smith County Youth Expo for his wooden swing.

Also this year, FFA President Juliann Hill received her Lone Star FFA Degree, the highest degree of membership.

FFA members recognize Jan Hill as the chapter's Mother of the Year. PHOTOS BY MICAH MCCARTNEY As a chapter, the Bullard FFA received the National Chapter Award, the Golden Horizon Award, and the Superior FFA Chapter award.

Due to their success this year, several FFA members received college scholarships at competitions. At the Smith County Youth Expo, Harris, Hill, Ryan Sloan, and Mallory Watkins each received $2,600 in scholarships. Hill also received $1,000 from the Audry Owens Memorial Rodeo Scholarship, $500 from the Bullard Kiwanis Club Scholarship, $1,200 scholarship from the Cherokee County Livestock Show, $2,250 from the Smith County Soil and Conservation Scholarship, and $1,000 in scholarship from Texas Farm Bureau. At the San Antonio Livestock Show, Hill and Lloyd each received $10,000, as well as Kelly receiving $14,000 in scholarships. Hill is also a finalist for an additional $18,000 from the Texas FFA Scholarship.

Charlotte Main, FFA sponsor, announced the student recognition awards. Hill was presented with the Dekalb Award. Lloyd received the Star Greenhand award. Braydon McKeethan and Tray Johnson were co-winners of the Star Chapter Farmer Award. Bailey Thomas received the Workhorse Award. Sloan was awarded the Scholastic Award.

Monty Main, FFA sponsor, announced the student proficiency awards. Spiller received the proficiency award for Diversified Horticulture. Jaden Lansford was presented with the proficiency award in Poultry Production. Lloyd received proficiency awards for Prepared Public Speaking and Creed Speaking. Isela Sanchez was presented with the proficiency award in Landscape Management. Harris received the proficiency award for Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication. Smith won the proficiency award for Home and Community Development. Hill was presented the proficiency award for Diversified Livestock Production. Thomas received the proficiency award for Outdoor Recreation. McKeethan won the proficiency award for Sheep Production. Sarah Minton was presented with the proficiency award for Goat Production. Hellman received the proficiency award for Veterinary Science. Kelly won the proficiency award for Swine Production. McKenzie Clark was presented with the Small Animal Production proficiency award. May received the proficiency award for Beef Production.

Awards were also given to parents and sponsors. Jan Hill, curriculum director for BISD, was presented with the FFA Chapter Mother award. The Honorary FFA Chapter Degree was presented to Warren Johnson. Beryl Johnson received the Distinguished Service award.

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FFA banquet recognizes successful year