Big Springs FFA members recognized

The Thermopolis Middle School Big Springs FFA Chapter held their 2023 banquet last week, recognizing students and community members for their achievements and service.

Dawn Peil, Breez Daniels, Tom Olsen, Eric Kay, Ronda Hanson, Brenna Huckfeldt, Joe Martinez, Chip and Jennifer Axtell, TJ and Cassie Owsley and Jason and Nicole Weyer were presented with honorary degrees. The honorary degree is designed to recognize the efforts made on behalf of the chapter. These people are farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of boards of education, chapter advisors, teachers, business people and others who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA. These members are selected by the officer team and voted upon at their regular meetings.

Joey Johnson was a long time supporter of all FFA activities and the youth in Hot Springs County. He was a state FFA Officer and coached a successful livestock judging team at Northwest College, Meeteetse and Thermopolis. He would go above and beyond to help everyone and was always willing to help kids out when needed if it was at the county fair, helping with livestock or any other variety of projects, he was always willing to do anything. Chapter and individual successes would not be possible without the help of others. The Joey Johnson Memorial award was given to Jennifer Axtell.

Members who have maintained an exceptional grade point average throughout the year were recognized.  Max Martinez was recognized for having an A grade in 16 to 17 of a possible 20. Izzie Hetzel, Ann Allen, Christian Eplin, Ella Slover, Tannen Birdsley, Morgan Jones, Ryan Axtell and Autumn Cornwell were recognized for having an A grade in 18 to 19 of a possible 20. Alec Martinez, Ava Dafoe, Logann Farrell, Mac McCumber, Kylie Frederick and Baer McPhie were recognized for having all A grades for the school year.

The discovery degree is the first degree available to middle school FFA members. To earn this degree, members must fill out an application stating what they have participated in throughout the year, that they have paid their dues and are active members of the chapter. The following members received their Discovery Degrees in December: Tyler Morris, Izzie Hetzel, Baer McPhie, Reagan Huckfeldt, Christian Eplin, Autumn Cornwell, Clint Kimes, Camden Weyer, Ann Allen, Mac McCumber and Hayden Johnson. The following members recently met the qualifications to receive the Discovery Degree: Paige Jones, Morgan Jones, Layla Epperson and Kaden Scheel.

Each year, one member is selected for the Star Discovery award. This is an 8th grade member that has been actively involved in the chapter for the last two years. They have participated in numerous fundraisers and community service opportunities, reached out to others to try to get them involved and become active members, and have taken on a leadership role within the chapter. This year, the Star Discovery award was presented to Ryan Axtell.

In FFA, leadership is a pivotal part of their mission. In opening ceremonies, members stated that they will "practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities, and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should possess." The students who receive the leadership awards were chosen based on that criteria. Seventh grader Mac McCumber and eighth grader Chloee Owsley were presented with leadership awards.

Alec Martinez was recognized as the member who brought in the most money through the various fundraisers held during the year.

A new campaign was started by the chapter this year called Homegrown Heroes. It encourages both students and adults to find things within the community they can help with. The chapter participated in 13 events this year including cleaning up the brush under trees at a church, hosting a food drive, wrapping gifts at Christmas and more. As a chapter, they logged 146 hours of service with their members. Students who completed 6 hours or more of service were recognized including: Morgan Jones, Paige Jones, Reagan Huckfeldt, Kaden Scheel, Camden Weyer, Ryan Axtell, Ava Dafoe, Chloee Owsley and Alec Martinez.

Camden Weyer, Alec Martinez, Chloee Owsley, Ryan Axtell, Ava Dafoe, Morgan Jones, Autumn Cornwell, Kolby Deere, Logan Farrell, Mac McCumber, Tyler Morris, Ann Allen, Kylie Frederick, Izzie Hetzel, Baer McPhie, Paige Jones, and Reagan Huckfeldt were recognized as members that stepped up and remained active throughout the year.

Alec Martinez was recognized as the Outstanding FFA member of the year. The award is given to a member who has gone above and beyond in their commitment and service to the chapter throughout the year.