The 2025 Whitko FFA Chapter achievement ceremony was Sunday afternoon, May 18, at Whitko Career Academy.

After a welcome by Whitko FFA chapter president Hannah Thomas, family members and guests were invited to enjoy an extensive dessert bar and a time of visiting before the achievement ceremony began. Opening ceremonies were led by the 2024-25 Whitko FFA officer team in the Whitko Career Academy lecture room.

FFA member Isaac Irwin recognized individuals and businesses who have been a tremendous asset to the chapter. The individuals and businesses recognized were: Cory Sickafoose Family, Sheiss Livestock, Rodenbeck Family, Yarde Family, Steve Sickafoose Family, Rupley Family, Monte Wilkinson Family, Ag Plus, Micropulse, South Whitley Community Facilities, Scott Werstler, Lynn Studebaker, Annette Arnold, Whitko School Board & administration, Rex Schipper, Diane Wolf, Candy Sroufe, Studebaker Dairy, Parks Livestock, Reiff Sandblasting, Shutterbug, Eberly Photography, Stan BBQ, Allen Feeds, Lake City Bank, CS Electric, Phillip’s Tree Service, Hinene’s Farm, Alliance Feed, Cari Juillerat, Sugar Creek Meats & Treats, and Whitko FFA alumni.

Lillie Sickafoose presented distinguished service awards to the Brown, Ocken, Sickafoose, and Sroufe families, Roger Carr and Cari Juillerat. Sickafoose thanked them “for always being supportive to our students and being a huge asset to our program.”

FFA members were recognized for their 2024-25 FFA achievements:

Livestock Judging team members Kohen Schipper, Anna Sickafoose, Lillie Sickafoose and Carle Sroufe, received national pins and national plaques. They travel to Scotland in June to compete in an international livestock judging contest. 

Poultry Career Development Events pins were awarded to Hannah Thomas, Carter Imhoff and Natalie Johns.

For Livestock Skillathon Hannah Thomas, Marissa Rodgers and Natalie Johns were recognized. 

Senior Wildlife Habitat team members Carter Imhoff, Marissa Rodgers and Hannah Thomas were welcomed to the stage and compete in October at the national contest.

For the Soil Team Marissa Rodgers, Kendrick Clark, Carter Imhoff and Hannah Thomas were recognized.

The following District Leadership Award recipients will be advancing to state contest:

Agriculture Sales Presentation, first place Hannah Thomas, 

Prepared Public Speaking, first place Hannah Thomas, and

Animal Science Demonstration, Hannah Thomas and Marissa Rodgers. 

Also receiving a district leadership award in Novice Agriculture Sales, is first place Marissa Rodgers. 

Other members competing in district contests were: 

Freshman Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Marissa Rodgers, 

Talent, Holly Branning, 

Employability, Holly Branning, 

Quiz Bowl Team members Maryssa Alley, Marissa Rodgers, Carter Imhoff and Natalie Johns, and 

Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Holly Branning.

State level award winners for 2024 were: 

State winner, Plant and Soil Science Demonstration, Kohen Schipper and Carle Sroufe.

State winner, Agriculture Farm and Business Management, Amy Brown and Ally Brown.

State winner, Ag Education, Hannah Thomas.

Third place, Agriculture Mech and Technical Demo, Anna Sickafoose and Justine Ocken.

Fourth place Natural Resources Demonstration, Isaac Irwin and Hannah Thomas.

The following individuals were recognized for completing and receiving their degrees this year.

Discovery Degree: Jacob Tuttle

Greenhand Degree: Marissa Rodgers, Maryssa Alley, Kendrick Clark, Carter Imhoff, Kelton Kilbourne, and Amber Ybarra.

Chapter Degree: Sophie Keener, Natalie Johns, Crew Ebbinghouse, Holden Bradford, and Lincoln Bowers.

FFA Advisor Emily Murphy presented the following prestigious chapter awards:

Star Greenhand award presented to Marissa Rodgers for her excellence in participation and expertise. 

Leadership awards were presented to Amy Brown and Isaac Irwin.

All-Star awards were presented to individuals and teams who have placed in the top four at a state level. For livestock; Lillie Sickafoose, Kohen Schipper, Carle Sroufe and Anna Sickafoose, for demonstrations; Ally Brown, Amy Brown, Justine Ocken and Hannah Thomas.

All-American Award Winners were presented to individuals and teams who have placed in the top ten at the national level. Those recipients were Livestock Evaluation second overall in the nation: Lillie Sickafoose, Kohen Schipper, Carle Sroufe and Anna Sickafoose.

Next, senior FFA members were recognized. Lillie Sickafoose said, “These seven seniors have demonstrated great leadership and dedication to the organization by participating in activities offered by the FFA, holding chapter offices, and helping to plan events. This year we are proud to honor our seniors.” The following seniors received cords for graduation; Amy Brown, Kohen Schipper, Carle Sroufe, Hannah Thomas, Isaac Irwin, Annalise Rios and Holly Branning.

FFA sponsor Emily Murphy highlighted this year’s successes. Murphy ended by presenting the Philanthropist Impact Award, presented to an FFA Member that has shown the most impact within FFA this year, to Holly Branning.

Senior Scholarship Awards were then presented to Kohen Schipper, Hannah Thomas and Carle Sroufe.

Retiring officer plaques were presented to the 2024-25 chapter officers: President Hannah Thomas, vice president Amy Brown, secretary Kohen Schipper, treasurer Carle Sroufe, reporter Annalise Rios; sentinel Lillie Sickafoose, student advisor Isaac Irwin and historian Holly Branning.

Chapter President Hannah Thomas installed the 2025-26 Whitko FFA Officer Team as Lillie Sickafoose, president; Marissa Rodgers, vice president; Carter Imhoff, vice president; and Sophie Keener, secretary.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the achievement ceremony and meeting was officially adjourned.