Greybull FFA chapter hosts annual banquet

The Greybull FFA Banquet held Friday night served as a both a celebration of the past and the contributions of retiring officers Mackenzie Klitzke and Tyler Searfoss and an ushering in of the future with the reveal of the 2024-25 leadership team.
Held at the Herb Asp Community Center, the event featured a meal sponsored by the Big Horn Basin Farm Bureau, followed by an end-of-the-year awards ceremony for the Greybull chapter led by Jennifer Schultz.
Here’s a recap of the evening’s award recipients:
• Discovery Degrees were presented to nine students enrolled in agricultural education: Ella Keisel, Ashlyn Chacon, Riley Wiggins, Braxten Link, Makinli Mowery, Grey Wipplinger, Baron Eichelberger, Tell Edeler and Avery Allen.
• Greenhand Degrees were presented to Anthony Chacon and Braxdon Patterson.
• Mataia Henderson was honored as the 2024 State FFA Degree recipient.
• A.W. Hunt Construction received the Outstanding Service Award for its support of the chapter.
• Danielle Lampman and Rob and Kim Klitzke received Honorary Chapter Member Awards.
• Ashley Coenen, of the South Big Horn Conservation District, was named the Honorary Chapter Farmer.
• The chapter celebrated the sponsors who helped them along the way.  There were four sponsorship levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.
• The chapter named Larry Longshore as its outstanding freshman, Shayne Cheatham as its outstanding sophomore, Mataia Henderson as its outstanding junior and Mackenzie Klitzke as its outstanding senior.  Henderson was also honored as the outstanding high school officer.
Shelby Hunt was named the chapter’s outstanding middle school member and officer.
• Agriscience Fair results were announced, with golds going to Coby Henderson and Gabe VanderPloeg, silvers to Tyler Searfoss, Mackenzie Klitzke, Mataia Henderson, Shayne Cheatham and Corrie VanderPloeg.
The evening ended with the announcement of the 2024-25 officer team.   Mataia Henderson will serve as president, Braxton Patterson as vice-president, Cord Edeler treasurer, Caiden Sorenson reporter/sentinel, and Shelby Hunt secretary.
Makinli Mowery was tapped as eighth-grade president, Ella Keisel eighth-grade vice-president, Cruz Sorenson eighth-grade secretary and Josey Whaley seventh-grade president.
The chapter also recognized a contribution of $2,500 from the Big Horn County Farm Bureau to help support the future of the Buff Ranch.