As always, the event began with the presentation of the FFA creed. The school has a long-standing tradition of sending students to the regional creed speaking competition every year, and this year two students competed in the Area Creed Speaking CDE. Jocelyn Askey and Riley Beury both competed this year, and Askey qualified for the regional competition taking place at Penn College.

These two recited the creed for the audience before outgoing Chaplain Taylor Cantolina gave the invocation for their meal.

The outgoing officers for the 2025-26 school year included President, Wyatt Conoway; Vice-President, Kohana Yamashita; Secretary, Harper Tressler; Treasurer, Bentley Andrus; Reporter, Evangeline Andrus; Sentinel, Tobias Conoway; Chaplain, Taylor Cantolina; Historian, Halen Martin and Parliamentarian, Alaina Leigey.

This year’s keynote speaker was Jaylene Everhart, who was a member of the State College Little Lions FFA for three years before she graduated in 2025.

PHOTOS PROVIDED The incoming officers are pictured.

Everhart has plans to attend Penn State University to major in Agricultural and Extension Education.

She loves teaching, and loves to educate others on the topic of agriculture and agricultural marketing — something she learned from public speaking events and her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project. For her project she raised, showed and sold New Zealand rabbits.

As the night went on, FFA advisors Robbie Weaver, Chuck Bechdel, Kim Bohartz and Jamie Fox recognized the students for their hard work and dedication to the SVRCS Chapter of the FFA.

Many pins were presented to students who have gone above and beyond for the program. First were the Greenhand pins. This award is presented to first year FFA members for showing their knowledge in what the FFA stands for.

In total, there were 18 recipients of the Greenhand pins this year — but out of all of these students, one is chosen to receive the Star Greenhand award. This recognition is for a first year FFA member who has shown exceptional skills and has been very active in FFA chapter activities. This year’s recipient was Jocelyn Askey.

PHOTOS PROVIDED 7th grader Tristan Klobe was recognized for selling the most fruit for the year, at around $800 value.

Chapter farmer pins were presented to the students next. These pins are awarded to second year FFA members who have successfully obtained their Greenhand pin and have taken part in the workings of the FFA chapter.

These pins were distributed to 13 students this year, with a special award going to one student.

The Star Chapter Farmer award was presented to a second year FFA member who has shown exceptional skills and has been active in FFA chapter activities; this year the award was presented to Harper Tressler.

More awards were handed out to students who have either taken an active role in making the FFA chapter successful since receiving both their Greenhand and Chapter Farmer pins, or who have made the chapter successful for the past four years — named Multiple Year Appreciation Awards 1 and 2. There were 20 students who received one of these two awards this year.

The next awards to be presented were for Chapter Scholars. Chapter Scholars are students who have earned a 3.2 GPA or higher thanks to their hard work in the classroom. Around 27 Chapter Scholars were announced at the event.

PHOTOS PROVIDED Kohana Yamashita, at left, is presented with an award at the FFA awards banquet.

Next came the Honorary Chapter Farmer Awards. These awards are given to individuals or businesses who are helping to advance agricultural education, rendering outstanding service and supporting the FFA chapter by going above and beyond to make sure they are successful.

There were two recipients of the award this year, Ms. Morgan Rager and Mr. Brian Stugart.

Every year students receive their iconic FFA blue jackets — representing a beacon of community and pride. These jackets unify members, reminding them they are a part of something bigger than themselves.

Eight students received a PA Alumni Jacket this year, including Jocelyn Askey, Riley Beury, Lucas Garcia, Bentley Hanscom, Isaac Herlocher, Ruth King, Joshua Shady and Keelie Wetzel.

The PA Farm Bureau also awards two students with a jacket annually. These students must be active in the FFA for several years, complete an application and attend a dinner. These two students were Leroy Culvey (11th) and Karter Losch (10th).

PHOTO PROVIDED FFA advisors Kim Bohartz and Jamie Fox are pictured while enjoying the awards banquet.

There were many students recognized for their accomplishments in competitions throughout the school year through Competition (CDE) Awards. Many of these students received high ranks in area and county competitions.

One of the most prestigious of these awards is the Keystone Degree. It is the highest award you can get in Pennsylvania FFA.

Three students at SVRCS received the degree this year: Wyatt Conoway, Landin Rossman and Ellynn Scarborough.

There are also a number of special awards during the event that recognize student achievement.

One 7th grade student, Tristan Klobe, was recognized for selling around $800 worth of fruit — putting him at the top of sales for the year. Drake Embick was the Big Buck Contest winner for this school year.

Sophia Sanders was recognized for taking first place as an individual in the National Invitational Middle School Career Skills Contest.

The first place team for FFA knowledge was recognized, consisting of Cooper Shade, Harper Tressler and Alaina Leigey; and the first place team for the State Grasslands competition was also recognized, consisting of Kohana Yamashita — who also placed first as an individual, Marrin Clester, Evangeline Andrus and Harper Tressler.

For the Eastern National competition (known as The Big E) the first place Environmental and Natural Resource Management team was also recognized, consisting of Kohana Yamashita, Evangeline Andrus, Marrin Clester and Carson Sanders.

The graduating seniors within the FFA were recognized by name, including: Wyatt Conoway, George Dills, Thomas Krape, Benjamin Parker, Remington Ripka, Landin Rossman, Ellynn Scarborough, Jaelynn Walker and Ethan Weaver.

The new officers announced at the end of the evening for the 2026-27 season are as follows: President, Kohana Yamashita; Vice-President, Harper Tressler; Secretary, Halen Martin; Treasurer, Bentley Andrus; Reporter, Marley Bickel; Sentinel, Tobias Conoway; Chaplain, Taylor Cantolina; Historian, Karter Losch; and Parliamentarian, Cameron Neff.