June 17, 2008 — Westwood High School’s FFA program is growing. More students are becoming actively involved in the program with family members and the community offering their support. Jennifer Worthington, FFA officer, announced that 74 members and guests attended the spring banquet held on Tuesday evening, June 3 at the Fletcher Walker Elementary School cafeteria.

She said that the purpose of the seventh annual spring banquet was to award individuals who have excelled in FFA, honor those who have helped out and give details on what the chapter has accomplished.

According to Tamsen DeForest, the FFA advisor and Ag teacher at Westwood High, many freshmen became active during the 2007-08 school year and will serve as officers in 2008-09.

At the banquet 12 students received Greenhand Degrees, which is a certificate that signifies a familiarity with FFA. For example, students must learn and explain the FFA creed, motto, mission statement, meaning of the FFA emblem and colors as well as knowledge of the organization’s code of ethics and history.

The students receiving the Greenhand Degrees included Kayrez Crawford, Megan Brecht, Jenna Marland, Darian Brockman, Cody Laub, Alexander Brown, Adriana Alexander, Melissa Melendrez, Catie Torres, Jimmy Vega, Jessica Skinner and Erich Kirby.

In addition, Brian Kirby received the Chapter Degree. To obtain this degree the recipient must have a Greenhand Degree plus have completed 180 hours of agricultural education and be actively involved in FFA demonstrated in several ways such as participating in at least three official chapter functions.

State Degrees were awarded to Jennifer Worthington and Kyle Johnson. To earn these degrees students must have been invested in an agricultural experience program, demonstrate leadership ability and have participated in at least five FFA activities above the chapter level.

Four Westwood chapter members were honored for outstanding achievement. They were Ryan Turner, JJ Martin, Brian Kirby and Ellen Medici.

Many members of the community also received recognition for supporting the Westwood FFA program in a multitude of ways. Appreciation plaques were given to Medici Logging, Young’s Market and Biggs Butchery. Several individuals received certificates of appreciation and acknowledgement including Henry Bietz, Phil Bryant, Rhea Androy, Janet Garcia, Susan Cort Johnson, Marci Johnson and Bill Pettengill.

The evening ended with the recognition and retirement of the 2007-08 officers and the installation of the officers for the 2008-09 school year.