Tyrone Area FFA Chapter held their annual awards and recognition banquet at the TAHS cafeteria on Thursday, March 27. There were 205 members, parents, guests, advisors, and alumni present.

The highlight of the evening was Tyrone FFA receiving two $2,500 checks sponsored by the Monsanto fund from “America’s Farmers Grow Communities.”

Present at the banquet were TASD Superintendent Cathy Harlow,  TAHS Principal Thomas Yoder, Senator John Eichelberger Jr. along with Representative Jerry Stern and members of the Tyrone Area school board, representatives from the FFA Association and members of the TAHS Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Mrs. Harlow, Representative Stern and Senator Eichelberger all gave encouraging words in support of the Chapter.

Dakota Fink introduced Stephen Winklosky, keynote speaker for the evening, a 2013 graduate of Derry High School and dedicated FFA member who spent most of his years visiting FFA chapters, representing members at the National FFA Organization, and attending and hosting conferences.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Winklosky became an FFA state officer and inspires members with his speech and brought the entire banquet hall to laughter with stating, “Pigs are my favorite animal. Pigs are the only animals who eat vegetables and turn them into bacon.”

The following awards were presented: State FFA Convention award to Elizabeth Conrad; Top Salespersons of Fruit and Jerky sale to Maddie Veit and Charles Beard; Safe Tractor and Skid Loader Driving was presented to Lance Loose and Dakota Fink; Junior Public Speaking to Mariah Simondale, Baylee DelBaggio and Katrina Hagenbuch. Also, Conservation and Public Speaking to Brandon Decker and Senior Public Speaking to Shaye Loose and Karah Kaltenbaugh. Record Book awards presented to Brittany Sessamen and Elizabeth Conrad; Agriscience Fair awards to Larry Kobuck, Hunter Confer, Michael Cherry, Jack Murtagh, Gage Light, Brandon Decker, Carly Crofcheck, Wyatt Hoff, and Wyatt Yazzie; Chapter Star Agriscience presented to Carly Crofcheck; Farm Show awards to Kaitland Lynch, Michael Cherry, Jack Murtagh, Corey Hunter, Wyatt Hoff, Wyatt Yazzie, Dakota Fink, Brandon Decker, Gage Light and Jordan Wiser; The Volunteer awards was presented to Katrina Hagenbugh.

Awards were also given to The Daily Herald for continued dedication of the Chapter and for including FFA events on a regular basis to the paper.

The Gilliland family was also thanked for their support of the FFA Clay Shoot. The 2014 shoot is planned for September at the Warriors Mark Wingshooting Lodge and Kennels.

The evening came to a close with recognition of the senior members, William Sessamen and Brandon Harpster, presentation of Monsanto checks, and presentation of officer pins to the current officers.

The current officers of the chapter are Hunter Confer, Sentinel of Tyrone; Elizabeth Conrad, Reporter of Warriors Mark; Carly Crofcheck, Treasurer of Tyrone; Kaitland Lynch, Secretary of Tyrone; Brandon Harpster, Vice President of Altoona and Shaye Loose, President of Sinking Valley.