FFA Advisor Jeff Nelson speaks to graduating FFA president Andrew Hellendrung, as Nelson speaks to all the graduating seniors. Hellendrung said he enjoyed the recognition and experience he gained with FFA, and he is satisfied with the leadership group coming in.

NEW ULM — The hard work put in by dozens of FFA members was recognized Sunday during the 88th FFA Banquet.

Over 20 proficiency awards were given in areas like Ag Mechanics, Equine Science, and Diversified Livestock Production. New Ulm FFA Advisor Jeff Nelson this year was an extremely busy one.

“Having the opportunity to compete in career development events, leadership development, running for their state degree through their supervised agricultural experience,” he said. “There’s been a neat opportunity for students.”

Mark Beranek, Claire Hoffmann, Reid Krenz, Kolbe Platz, and Rachel Wiethoff were the five who completed their state degree. Of the 12 teams assembled in areas of skill and knowledge from Ag Mechanics to Floriculture, nine of them qualified to compete at the state level.

Nelson said the banquet is a bittersweet moment, as seniors depart from the program.

“We’re happy to watch them succeed and do all the great things they’ve done in FFA,” he said. “It’s sad to see them go because they’re graduating. As sad as that is, we’ve got a lot of members ready to step up into their shoes because of the leadership they provided.”

Chief among those leadership roles is president. This year graduating senior Andrew Hellendrung passed the mantle on to junior Tucker Berg, who previously served as historian.

Hellendrung won awards for Ag Mechanics Design & Fabrication Placement, Equine Science Entrepreneurship, Forage Production, Chapter Star in Placement, and Chapter Leadership. He said he enjoyed being recognized for his work and leadership in FFA.

“I was a lineman in football,” Hellendrung said. “We’re guys not a lot of people talked about. In FFA, I’m recognized as the president and a guy people do talk about. It’s very nice to see my work is recognized as well as the rest of my officer team’s work because they have done an amazing job this year. We wouldn’t be anywhere without them.”

After he graduates, Hellendrung is planning to attend Alexandria Tech to become a diesel mechanic.