Submitted photo The Sleepy Eye FFA Top Stars and Leadership Award Winners for 2023-24, from left front, Noemi Rodriguez, Jace Schauman, Noah Rossbach, Carter Lazatin, Alex Confer, Lily Kallevig, Emma Fischer, Kadence Lund, Kyle Capacia. Back, Chloe Howe, Ari Krzmarzick, Kayden Klein, Logan Ludewig, Isaac Lendt, Winsten Nienhaus, Marcus Martinez, Santiago Martinez, Jaden Stone.

SLEEPY EYE — Sleepy Eye FFA members Lily Kallevig, Taylor Berkner and Alex Confer presented FFA state and chapter awards to the Dist. 84 school board Wednesday.

Many chapter and individual awards were part of the presentation that favorably impressed board members.

“You guys are amazing,” said board chairwoman Darla Remus.

“What an accomplishment for all of you,” said board member Joleen Dittbenner.

FFA members received 96 Discovery Degrees (7th & 8th graders), 48 Greenhand Degrees, 41 Chapter Degrees and 11 State Degrees. Many awards were presented to the active members and leaders of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter.

“This year our FFA Chapter has continued with our service theme and conducted several different programs and activities throughout the entire year,” said FFA Advisor Mary S. Hoffmann.

FFA members who participated in at least four programs were named 4- 6 Star Members. If members participated in at least 7 of the programs they were named a Star Leader. Twenty-four FFA members were presented with certificates for being a 4-6 Star Member and 28 members were presented with trophies for being a 7-12 Star Leader.

Each year, top scholar awards are presented to one active FFA member in each grade who has the highest GPA in their respective class. These members received a plaque and a scholarship pin, Megan Sellner (freshmen), Jaelynn Schauman (sophomore), Nora Coulson (junior), Isaac Lendt (senior).

Alisa mangen received the Honorary Chapter Degree for supporting the Sleepy Eye FFA in exceptional ways throughout the year.

There were two groups of people who were presented with an Appreciation Award for 2024: Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Club and the Servicemen’s Club.

The top junior high fruit seller was Allanah Urbano with over $2200 of products sold. Camryn Maher was second with over $1400 in sales. The top high school fruit seller was Destiney Dittbenner with over $2300 of products sold. Lily Kallevig was second with over $1100 in Sales.

Freshman leadership winners were Jace Schauman and Jaden Stone. Sophomores were Noah Rossbach, Logan Ludewig, Carter Lazatin. Junior were Chloe Howe and Noemi Rodriguez. Seniors were Marcus Martinez, Kyle Capacia, and Kadence Lund.

Ari Krzmarzick and Kayden Klein got Phoenix Awards for getting involved, getting others involved, and showing true enthusiasm for FFA.

The Star Greenhand Award went to Santiago Martinez as the most Outstanding Freshmen Greenhand Degree participant. The award is presented to a first year high school member who is active in the chapter, and who has demonstrated leadership and scholarship.

Alex Confer got the Sophomore Achievement Award for overall success with hard work and dedication.

Lily Kallevig received the Outstanding Junior Award for overall achievement in the FFA.

Emma Fischer got the the Star in Ag. Placement Award for outstanding production placement and involvement in all areas of chapter activities.

The Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award went to Winston Nienhaus for the most outstanding senior in the areas of scholarship, leadership, and supervised agricultural experience.

Isaac Lendt received the Chapter Star Farmer Award for outstanding entrepreneurship and involvement in all areas of the chapter’s activities.

“I am so proud of all of the hard work and dedication the members show on a daily basis – through their efforts with FFA programs, agriculture classes, and community service projects. What a great year this has been,” Hoffmann said.

“We started out strong by earning the Top 10 Model of Excellence Award at the National FFA Convention. And now, to bring everything to a close with a great Minnesota FFA Convention, having 72 individuals go to state is amazing, she said”

“The Sleepy Eye FFA is about students developing leadership skills, experiencing personal growth, and serving the Sleepy Eye Community and I am extremely honored to work with them each day,” Hoffmann added.