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Spotlight on Youth - March 30, 2011
Branch Area Career Center FFA attends state convention
COLDWATER, Mich. — The Branch Area Careers Center (BACC) FFA chapter returned with many award winners after the 83rd Michigan FFA State Convention held March 9-11. Forty-eight students attended the convention competing in leadership contests and receiving awards in many different areas.
The first day of convention brought many awards home for BACC students. Tyler Pierson, of Colon, Mich., competed in the Agriscience Research presentations earning fourth place. Bethany Schreur, of Tekonsha, Mich., won first place in the Agri-Entrepreneurship competition. Seven students earned academic excellence awards for their outstanding scholarship. These award winners were Logan Bracy, Hope Johnson, Bethany Myers, Bethany Schreur, Emily Swift, Preston Weber and Destanie West. Outstanding Junior Awards, sponsored by Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and Sigma Alpha Sorority, were presented to students who have outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) and have met the academic qualifications for the award. Winners from BACC were Jennifer Alexander, Joshua Brock, Andrea Carls, Stephanie Danbury, Braeden Harvey, Jacob Hawley, Jared Haylett, Austin Hostetler, Joshua Hyska, Hope Johnson, Courtney Losinski, Jacqueline Metheny, Alexandria Mettert, Bethany Myers, Katie Myers, Jordan Parker, Jamie Phair, Graham Rowe-Bultinck, Adriana Rubin, Katy Shirk, Nancy Ulrich, Robin Warner and Jacob Wasikowski. 

Thursday brought more competitions, awards and leadership opportunities to FFA members. BACC FFA delegates had the opportunity to tour the capitol and meet with state legislators to share the message of agriculture and the FFA. Other highlights of the day included the BACC FFA Junior High Conduct of Meeting team winning the state title. The team included Cody Higbee, Cole Trine, Nick Marshall, Andy Parrish, Brody Bassage, Matthew AcMoody and Renee Souva. Cailyn Hines also won top honors in the Junior High Public speaking contest with her speech focused on the National Pork Producers Council “We Care” animal initiative. In the Creed Speaking contest, Quincy students Gavin Shiery and Dalton Hard were presented with silver and state runner up awards respectively.

Proficiency awards were given out in many different areas for excellence in Supervised Agricultural Experiences. BACC members recognized include, Bethany Schruer, gold in agricultural sales, silver in dairy production and state winner in Specialty Animal Production; Emily Swift state winner in Diversified Crop Production – Entrepreneurship and silver in Specialty Crop Production; Cody Stanton, state winner in Diversified Crop Production – Placement; Tyler Pierson, bronze in Emerging Agricultural Technology; Jesse Boley, silver in Outdoor Recreation, Bethany Myers, state winner in Swine Production; and Preston Weber silver in veterinary science. 

Thursday afternoon State FFA degree recipients were recognized with 19 Branch Area Careers Center FFA members earning this high honor. The recipients were Jesse Boley Danielle Booher, Logan Bracy Mariah Brady, Alex Cline, Matthew Dunks, Anna Dunn, Jason Gruner, Ashley Hawver, Eric Moore, Jessica Paul, Tyler Pierson, James Richardson, Bethany Schreur, Cody Stanton, Emily Swift, Nolan Tappenden, Linsey VanDyke and Preston Weber. Later in the evening, Bracy, Pierson, Schreur, Stanton and VanDyke were presented with a gold state degree, only 19 total gold state degrees were given across the state. During the Stars over Michigan presentations, BACC was well represented as Bethany Schruer was named State Winner in the Agribusiness category, Cody Stanton was one of three finalists in the Agricultural Placement category, and Linsey VanDyke and Tyler Pierson were two of the three top students in the Agri-Science category.

Friday’s events included hearing from Michigan’s new governor, Rick Snyder, recognizing Logan Bracy as the state runner-up in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Contest, Jessica Paul as fifth place in the Job Interview Contest, Samantha Griffith and Katie Walters earned a silver in the demonstration contest and the agricultural issues team consisting of Bethany Schreur, Danielle Booher, Abigail Schreur, Katie Myers, Meka Mettert, Joshua Brock, Jordan Parker, and Eli Sensat earned a silver with their presentation about food safety laws.

To wrap up an already successful convention, Bethany Schreur was elected as the Region I State Vice President for the 2011-2012 year.
She will replace retiring officer Karice Hard, also from the Branch Area Careers Center. 

Marion County Farm Bureau offer scholarship to local youth
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Marion County Farm Bureau, Inc. is offering the Stanley Smith Memorial Agricultural scholarship to a Marion County, Ind., resident who is pursing, or plans to pursue, a degree in agriculture.  The scholarship is a one-time gift of $1,000.

Stanley Smith was a Marion County farmer and member of Marion County Farm Bureau, Inc.  He served as Marion County Farm Bureau president for 12 years and Franklin Township Farm Bureau president for 15 years, while also serving agriculture in many other capacities throughout his community.  Stanley passed away in early 2010, and this scholarship has been established in his honor by the Marion County Farm Bureau. 

In order to be considered, applicants must also meet the following requirements: be a graduating senior in high school or a college freshman; be a current 4-H or FFA member in Marion County; have a grade point average of 2.5 or better; actively participate in an aspect of the agricultural industry; and plan a major in agriculture.

To complete the application, students must complete the forms included with the application, include two references that must complete the confidential reference form (in a sealed envelope) with the application.  Additional materials include a current photo of applicant fit for reproduction and publication and signed release form, a current transcript of grades, and a typewritten paragraph describing your participation in the agriculture industry.

The application forms are available from county Farm Bureau offices or online at www.infarmbureau.org To find the form online, float your cursor over the “Programs” heading at the top of the page, and when the drop-down box appears, move your cursor to “Education” and then click on “Scholarships.”
All applications must be received by April 15, 2011, and should be addressed to Marion County Farm Bureau, Inc., Attn: Mike Honeycutt – President, 3090 Sandpiper South Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268.

Questions about the scholarship can be directed to Raylee Honeycutt at rayleehoneycutt@gmail.com

The award will be sent to the school that the student is registered in once Marion County Farm Bureau, Inc. receives proof of registration. If the winner does not enroll in school, the money will be awarded to an alternate.
3/30/2011