The banquet recognized many of Sugar Valley’s FFA members, with advisors handing out awards and ribbons to those who have earned them and briefly speaking on the achievements of each of their members.

Advisor Chuck Bechdel introduced the outgoing officers for the 2023-24 year:

— President, Dakota Holdren

— Vice-President, Madisyn Garcia

PHOTO PROVIDED Pictured above are Jim and Lisa Harbaugh, recipients of the Prestigious Donor Awards. They are standing with their granddaughter, Madisyn Garcia, the recipient of the DeKalb Award (awarded to an outstanding Agriculture Student).

— Secretary, Lilly Mundrick

— Treasurer, Olivia Clester

— Reporter, Stuart Meixel

— Sentinel, Wyatt Conoway

— Chaplain, Thayne Jeffries

PHOTO PROVIDED Ronald Holdren, also a recipient of the Prestigious Donor Awards, is shown along with his daughter, Dakota Holdren, recipient of the Knowledge and Leadership Award.

— Historian, George Dills

— Parliamentarian, Kohana Yamashita

The graduating seniors within the FFA were also recognized, including: Dawson Brungard, Kamden Copenhaver, Olivia Darby, Emma Downing, Levi Galentine, Madisyn Garcia, Samual Goldsmith, Malachi Gottshall, Dakota Holdren, Hayden Kerstetter, Stuart Meixel, Joshua Miller-Mitchell, Lilly Mundrick, Ryland Reidell, Mariah Snook, Ivy Straub, Brynn Swanger, Cayden Weaver and Lance Winchester.

Lilly Jones, Kohana Yamashita and Marrin Clester, all in 9th grade, were recognized for receiving their FFA Alumni Jackets. The trio received their jackets at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Mid-Winter Convention after applying for them.

In order to receive their jackets, new FFA members have to apply by sending in an application as well as an essay describing what the jackets mean to them, their interest in Agricultural Education and explain what goals they hope to achieve in the FFA.

There were around 40 Chapter Scholars announced at the event. Chapter Scholars are students who have earned a 3.2 GPA or higher thanks to their hard work in the classroom.

One 11th grade student, Austin Duck, received a PA Farm Bureau Jacket. In order to achieve this, he had to be active in the FFA for several years, complete an application to the local Farm Bureau Chapter and attend a dinner to accept it.

Chapter Scholars for the 2023-2024 school year include: Evangaline Andrus, Lincoln Breon, Lyla Breon, Nolan Bubb, Madison Calhoun, Taylor Cantolina, Marrin Clester, Olivia Clester, Wyatt Conoway, Wyatt Corman, Isabell Culvey, Leroy Culvey, Olivia Darby, George Dills, Emma Downing, Austin Duck, Justin Erb, Brandon Galentine, Madisyn Garcia, Dakota Holdren, Thayne Jeffries, Olivia Johnson, Lilly Jones, Hayden Kerstetter, Parker Liddic, Stuart Meixel, Joshua Miller-Mitchell, Lilly Mundrick, Wesley Nearhoof, Benjamin Parker, Ryland Reidell, Ivy Straub, Brynn Swanger, Tori Titus, Alexander Underkoffler, Timothy Underkoffler, Jaelynn Walker, Cayden Weaver, Nickisha Wetzel and Kohana Yamashita.

Dakota Holdren presented Prestigious Donor Awards; this award is given to individuals or businesses who have donated funding or materials to aid the SVRCS Chapter in their endeavors throughout the year — whether that be their activities and projects or their competitions.

The first recipients were Jim and Lisa Harbaugh, followed by Ronald Holdren.

“Thank you for all your support in helping make us become a strong FFA Chapter,” said Holdren.

Many students were recognized by advisors Chuck Bechdel, Robbie Weaver, Kim Bohartz and Jamie Fox for their accomplishments in competitions, receiving Competition (CDE) Awards. Many of these students received high ranks in area and county competitions.

Towards the end of the evening, the previous FFA officers introduced the individuals who would be taking their places.

New Officers for the 2023-24 season are:

— President, Austin Duck

— Vice-President, Olivia Clester

— Secretary, Isabel Culvey

— Treasurer, Kohana Yamashita

— Reporter, George Dills

— Sentinel, Nolan Bubb

— Chaplain, Wyatt Conoway

— Historian, Teagyn Carey

— Parliamentarian, Marrin Clester