Forreston FFA celebrates accomplishments

FORRESTON – Forreston FFA members hosted their end-of-the-year banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of all members and recognize community members.

The Star Award is given to the top member of every grade level:

• The freshman award, the Star Greenhand Award, was given to Levi Bocker.
• The sophomore, or Star Chapter Award, was given to Hunter Miller.
• The Star Chapter Junior Award was awarded to Dausyn Heslop, Justin Myers and Coehen Kirchner. Heslop and Kirchner also were recognized for completing their Illinois state FFA degree, which they will receive this summer.
• The senior award, better known as the Dekalb Award, was awarded to Grant Johnson.

Forreston recognized its record book successes this year. Heslop received second place in the district competition in swine entrepreneurship, Kirchner placed second in beef placement, and Myers placed first in diversified crop entrepreneurship and moved on to the state competition.

The chapter also recognized two outstanding community members and inducted them as honorary FFA members. The first was Travis Heinz, Forreston Junior/Senior High School principal. The members chose him for his overall support of the program and his leadership in the district.

The second award went to the Heslop family, which always is willing to help out the chapter, including providing the shop for the 1949 tractor restoration project. Raffle tickets for that tractor are on sale now.

The alumni also awarded two $500 scholarships to seniors Sam Appel and Brynn Lamm. Another $500 scholarship was awarded by the family of Keith Reemtsma in his memory. This was presented by his grandson, Aaron Dallman, and received by Kaeden Motszko.

The 2024-2025 Forreston FFA officers were installed at their new positions, which included Myers and Coehen Kirchner as co-presidents, Kyla Lamm as vice president, Jenna Alexander as treasurer, Cylee Kirchner as secretary, Emma Lenkaitis as reporter, Miller and Bocker as co-sentinels, and Josiah Newill as career development event manager.

Members also recognized seniors for their time and effort the past four years.