2024 FFA Banquet
Members and supporters of the Penn Yan Academy FFA Chapter celebrated the completion of another successful year at the Annual FFA Banquet on May 31st.
The event was held at Penn Yan Academy which included a chicken BBQ dinner prepared by Andrew Jensen and sides by the Wagner Restaurant, as well as with ice cream from Seneca Farms, a special opening ceremony and presentation about the chapter’s history along with presentation of awards to members and community members.
Chapter President Ryan Dann along with the other chapter officers conducted the meeting, and John Kriese was the keynote speaker. Members recognized their supporters throughout the year thanking them for helping the chapter in all of their endeavors. Principal David Pullen did opening remarks to start off the banquet and freshman Lizzie Lilyea recited the FFA Creed.
Honored during the ceremony:
The Discovery Degree was presented to middle school member Jordan Hansen.
Greenhand Degrees were presented to Lizzie Lilyea, Colt Walters, Marissa Sorensen, Bailey Kennedy, Lucas Smart, Alyssa Smith, Trinity Kerrick, Kyla Hawley, Alexa Breeds, Malackai Leinhauser, Jaxon Jensen, Joy Emerson, Meggie Pratt, Dougie Flynn and Pheonix Sapp.
The Star Greenhand Award was awarded to Lizzie Lilyea. All Greenhand Degree Recipients received their own FFA jacket. Thank you to Simmons Vineyards, the Yates County Farm Bureau and Jean Murdock for sponsoring the jackets for all our Greenhand recipients.
Chapter Degrees were presented to Rachel Dann, Claire Sandstrom and Zoe Zeigler.
Empire Degree (State Degree) recipients were Mason Bush, Colleen Cunningham, Ryan Dann, Miranda Dunning and Storm Sutherland.
Several Members received State Proficiency Awards which included Ryan Dann was gold ranked and 2nd place individual in the area of Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement Proficiency.
Ryan works at Dann's Roadside Repair, where they specialize in maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing over-the-road trucks, construction, and agricultural equipment.
Colleen Cunningham also brought home a gold rank in the Dairy Production Placement Area. At Heifer Haven in Stanley, New York, Colleen oversees the care of 4,563 heifers.
Maddie Smith was 1st place gold ranked in the area of Equine Science Placement.
For three and a half years at Riesling Ridge Stables, Maddie has not only handled essential tasks like feeding and stall maintenance but also taught beginner riding lessons, instilling crucial skills and safety protocols in new riders.
Maddie’s application will be moving on to the National level for judging this summer, good luck Maddie!
Advisor Carlie Bossard and President Ryan Dann honored members with special achievement recognitions.
The Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award was given to senior Ryan Dann, the Teamwork Award was given to Colt Walters, Growth Award was given to Marissa Sorensen, the Effort Award was given to Malackai Leinhauser and the Greenhouse Manager Award was given to Pheonix Sapp.
Jordan Hansen was awarded the Camp O Award which is a scholarship to attend the FFA Camp, Camp Oswegatchie this summer.
Several members were recognized for their participation in State and National Career and Leadership Development Contests throughout this past year. They include:
This past summer at the State Fair we had multiple teams compete and place in the top 5. The Small Engine Troubleshooting placed 5th and Carter VanDelinder placed 10th overall.
The Horse Evaluation team also placed 5th and Maddie Smith placed 8th overall.
The Milk Quality and Products team placed 4th with Zoe Zeigler placing 2nd and Miranda Dunning placing 8th overall.
Mason Bush placed 10th in Tree ID
In September we had members compete at the Big E in Massachusetts in the Floriculture Competition, and we’re happy to announce that Grace Roberts placed 9th overall and the team of Grace, Jen Martens, Mikki Benson and Cadence Cummings placed 6th overall.
This year we had the Ag Mechanics team go to Nationals. The team of Ryan Dann, Chance Lane, Jack Flynn and Chris Preston placed 6th IN THE NATION and gold ranked team and Ryan Dann placed 9th overall out of all competitors from across the US.
At the State FFA Convention at the beginning of May we had many students and teams bring home honors.
Our Forestry team placed 5th and Lucas Smart placed 3rd overall.
Our Floriculture team of Pheonix Sapp, Marissa Sorensen, Rachel Dann and Malackai Leinhauser placed 7th overall and had the best team activity score out of the top 10 teams.
In Veterinary Science Colleen Cunningham was 8th place individual and the team of Colleen, Miranda Dunning, Kyla Hawley and Zoe Zeigler placed 6th overall.
And finally Lizzie Lilyea competed at the district, substate, and state finals for Jr. Creed Speaking. She placed 2nd in the state and will be representing NY at the Big E in Massachusetts this fall competing against top creed speakers from all across the Northeast!
Advisor Carlie Bossard presented Seniors Mason Bush, Colleen Cunningham, Ryan Dann, Miranda Dunning, Phoenix Sapp, Marissa Sorensen and Storm Sutherland with special FFA sashes and cords to wear during graduation.
Mrs. Bossard also recognized the chapter and its members as a whole for receiving a gold ranked National Chapter Award. The Penn Yan Chapter was gold ranked and recognized as the NY National Chapter of the Year! The application will be moving on to be judged Nationally for either a 1-, 2- or 3-star chapter at the national level. 3-Star chapters are recognized on stage at the National FFA Convention in October.
The Friend of FFA Award was presented to Brenda and Minda from the Flower Cart and Gift Shoppe. They have helped train many of our floriculture teams, sponsored our floriculture contest at the Finger Lakes CDEs, and have even judged multiple times for us.
The Penn Yan Academy Custodial and Maintenance staff also received the Friend of the FFA Award. No matter the project or task, these individuals are behind the scenes making it happen. From the crazy projects in the Ag room to helping us set up for large events like Cider Day, Finger Lakes CDE contests or Ag Safety Day, their hard work and dedication ensure our events run smoothly.
Honorary Degrees were presented to Mr. Marty Kubli for being a huge supporter of our program and Mrs. Jan Rosequist for her integral part of our program by training contest teams, judging contests and looking over applications for us.
The 2024-2025 officers were also installed at the end of the ceremony.
Lizzie Lilyea-President
Colt Walters-Vice President
Claire Sandstrom-Secretary
Lillian Hoke-Naylor-Treasurers
Rachel Dann-Reporter
Lucas Smart-Sentinel
Bailey Kennedy-Historian
Zoe Zeigler-Student Advisor
The Penn Yan FFA would like to thank all the businesses, community members, and parents of FFA members for their continued support of the FFA chapter. The banquet ended with a live auction by alumni and Lyons FFA Advisor Brennan Dailey to help raise funds for the FFA Senior Scholarships.
