Weiser FFA chapter members get their Greenhand degrees


The Weiser High School FFA club held its annual induction ceremony for ‘greenhands’ earlier this month. The students are first-year members of the club and have to qualify for the honor. Pictured front row, from left, Maddie Cobb, Daniel Glaspie, Samantha Despain, Emily Larsen, Alexis Martinez, Chloe Eastis, Lindsey McConnell, Colyer Chandler, Jesse Lockett, Willy Shirts and Kaija Thompson. Back, Dillon Houser, Kellie Peterson, Whitney Cordes, Mecarte Olsen, Shae Kunz, Payton Albertson and Rylee Willett. Photos by Nancy Grindstaff
Into another new and exciting high school adventure this fall, 17 of Weiser Chapter FFA’s 28 first-year members were on hand to receive their Greenhand degrees during an induction ceremony at Weiser High School on Oct. 16.
 To qualify for the chapter award, during the first two months of the current school year, these students have each submitted plans for a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program, as well as demonstrated their understanding of the history and purpose of the Future Farmers of America organization.
 The 2018 Greenhand recipients are: Paryton Albertson, Brogan Brown, Jace Buescher, Colyer Chandler, Maddie Cobb, Whitney Cordes, Paul Crawford, Samantha Despain, Chloe Eastis, Daniel Glaspie, Seth Harris, Trace Hopkins, Dillon Houser, Shae Kunz, Emily Larsen, Jesse Lockett, Alexis Martinez, Lindsey McConnell, Mecarte Olsen, Hayden Pearson, Kellie Peterson, Emily Pope, Libbie Rynearson, Makaela Sherry, Willy Shirts, Elle Svedin, Kaija Thompson, Brode Torres, and Rylee Willett. 
 Adding to last week’s ceremony, four students competed for the chapter’s 2018 FFA Creed speaking title, those being Shirts, Olsen, Chandler, and Lockett. After presenting the creed, each answered a pair of questions asked by a panel of three judges Kelly Cobb, Hailey Facer, and Austen Thomason. 
 As this year’s winner, Shirts will move on to compete against other chapter winners from throughout the Western Idaho District, which includes Cambridge, Council, Emmett, Fruitland, Midvale, New Plymouth, Parma, Payette, and Weiser.
 Taking the helm of WHS’s ag department this fall, instructor and FFA Adviser Amanda Chaney reports some competitive successes among her 85 dues-paying members so far this year.
 “Our livestock judging team placed fifth in Western Idaho District dairy judging, and our soils/rangeland judging team placed third,” Chaney said.
 The livestock judging team includes Harlie Mackay, Mia Stender, Tyler Pope, Riata Chandler, and Maddy Erickson. Chandler earned the sixth high individual in the contest, and Stender, eighth.
 Those rounding out the soils/rangeland team are: Mackay, R. Chandler, Mecarte Olsen, Erika Tyree and Madison Phillips
 Chaney said her total student numbers are at 143 in the seven ag classes she instructs.
 “Students can choose from Ag Business I, Ag Business II (Natural Resources), Horticulture, Animal Science, Welding, Ag Shop, and Agribusiness Management and Marketing,” she said. “These courses build leadership skills, as well as give students hands-on applications that will prepare them for future careers in the agricultural industry.”
 Although Chaney’s students won’t be attending this year’s FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, which was from Oct. 24-27, their sights are set on 2019.
 “We’ll be cheering from home, as five Weiser FFA members receive their American Degrees,” Chaney said. “They are CJ and Katie Davis, Jason Kerner, Austen Thomason, and Megan Warnock.
 “These members are among less than two percent of all FFA members that go on to earn this award, and we’re excited for them,” she added. “We’re also looking forward to some upcoming events as students compete in District Creed Speaking, Best Informed Greenhand, and Agronomy in November.”

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