$59,416 in Fruit Sales & Top Awards: Decorah FFA Banquet Recap

Stay informed, stay empowered: invest in the journalism that invests in you. DECORAH — The 88th annual Decorah FFA Awards Program was held at the Decorah High School Auditorium on Monday, March 24, at 7 p.m. About 250 guests were in attendance, including parents, family members, community sponsors, business leaders, and members. The Conduct of Meetings Team, consisting of President Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Vice-President Bentley Smith, Secretary Brock Anfinson, Treasurer Brooks Dodd, Reporter Brooks Courtney, Sentinel Natalie Holthaus and Advisor Jordyn Roberg officially opened the awards program. Chapter President Kamryn Werges welcomed everyone in attendance. The 2024-2025 officer team then presented Greenhand FFA Degrees and Chapter FFA degrees to the recipients. This year's 18 Greenhand FFA Degree recipients include Brock Anfinson, Allison Bigler, Dylan Brincks, Brooks Courtney, Brooks Dodd, Colton Elsbernd, Ethan Hill, Natalie Holthaus, Izabella Kos, Ella Mann, Zander McConnell, Brandi Nehls, Kayden Osborne, Landyn Quandahl, Jordyn Roberg, Daric Sheffield, Taylor Sloan-Dahl and Bentley Smith. The Decorah FFA awarded 21 Chapter FFA Degrees to members. This year's recipients include Hadley Alexander, Andrew Carolan, Kale Christopher, Michael Clement, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Dominick Duffield, William Hahn, Noah Heiselman, Aiden Helgerson, Braden Hemesath, Tristan Hunter, Jackson Irwin, William Kruse, Mara Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Karter Orris, Ryan Rocksvold, Isabella Schnitzler, John Toby Schnitzler and Peyton Schultz. Eden Scheidel then awarded the leadership awards to members who successfully served as leaders within our chapter as an officer and/or a committee chairperson. Members receiving leadership pins for completing their first year of service include Hadley Alexander, Rylee Averhoff, Karlee Bullerman, Andrew Carolan, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Karlie Einck, Logan Frye, Lauren Holthaus, Mara Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Annika Schmelzer and Jordan Sims. Members recognized for more than two years of leadership service to the chapter include Kiele Eberling, Lyla Lovstuen, Eden Scheidel, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges and Thea Zidlicky. Thea Zidlicky and Karlie Einck introduced the members who had perfect meeting attendance this past year. These members include Allison Bigler, Brooks Dodd, Colton Elsbernd, Izabella Kos, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Andrew Carolan, Mara Lovstuen, Jerikah Dodd, Karlie Einck, Nick Farley, Lauren Holthaus, Lyla Lovstuen, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter and Kamryn Werges. Madelynn Dahl and Brinlee Courtney presented scholarship pins and certificates to all of the Decorah FFA members who made the honor roll this past year. Members receiving this honor and a pin include Allison Bigler, Dylan Brincks, Brooks Dodd, Colton Elsbernd, Logan Frye, Jacob Hageman, Aiden Helgerson, Natalie Holthaus, Izabella Kos, Blaine Leidahl, Mara Lovstuen, Landyn Quandahl, Jordyn Roberg, Isabella Schnitzler, Daric Sheffield, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, and Bentley Smith. Members receiving a scholarship certificate for being on the honor roll multiple years include Hadley Alexander, Rylee Averhoff, Ryan Bigler, Henry Brynsaas, Karlee Bullerman, Andrew Carolan, Kale Christopher, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Kiele Eberling, Nick Farley, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Lauren Holthaus, Tristan Hunter, Jackson Irwin, William Kruse, Lyla Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Karter Orris, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Peyton Schultz, Jordan Sims and Jake Teslow. Rylee Averhoff presented the Academic Achievement Awards. The senior academic awards are awarded from the Iowa FFA Association and are presented to the seniors who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, have been an active member for at least 3 years, and have an active SAE. Recipients who received a certificate and a medal include Austin Helgerson & Jordan Sims. Gabe Monroe presented the top ten fruit sales awards after announcing the chapter had sold a total fruit sales amount of $59,416. Members receiving fruit sales awards include: 1st – Jordan Sims 2nd – Taylor Sloan-Dahl 3rd – Karlie Einck 4th – Karlee Bullerman 5th – Rylee Averhoff 6th – Brinlee Courtney 7th – Peyton Schultz 8th – Gabe Monroe 9th – Allison Bigler 10th – Bentley Smith. The Decorah FFA Letter was presented by Lauren Holthaus. In order to letter, members must be an active member in FFA. This year t24 members lettered in FFA. These members include Rylee Averhoff, Andrew Carolan, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Kiele Eberling, Karlie Einck, Logan Frye, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Blaine Leidahl, Rashell Lippe, Mara Lovstuen, Lyla Lovstuen, Ella Mann, Gabe Monroe, Hunter Quandahl, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Elora Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges and Thea Zidlicky. Each FFA member has a requirement to keep records on either a job placement, agribusiness ownership, or a livestock or crop project. Members then submit their record books for evaluation. Hadley Alexander announced the top record books for each class. They include senior Kiele Eberling, junior Eden Scheidel, sophomore Gabe Monroe and freshman Allison Bigler. Jerikah Dodd presented the Star Greenhand award to Natalie Holthaus. She also presented the Star Chapter Farmer award to Kamryn Werges, the Star Chapter Placement award to Lyla Lovstuen, and the Star Chapter Agribusiness to Eden Scheidel. Lyla Lovstuen congratulated this year's proficiency award winners. This year's chapter proficiency winners include the following: Hadley Alexander (ag services) Thea Zidlicky (beef production placement) Brinlee Courtney (dairy production entrepreneurship) Ryan Bigler (dairy production placement) Noah Heiselman (diversified ag. production) Kiele Eberling (diversified livestock production) Rylee Averhoff (goat production) Andrew Carolan (grain production) Eden Scheidel (poultry production) Karlie Einck (sheep production) Kamryn Werges (small animal production) Jordan Sims (swine production Entrepreneurship). Eden Scheidel, Brinlee Courtney, Lyla Lovstuen, and Gabe Monroe thanked the senior class for all their leadership over the years and congratulated them on all their accomplishments. This year's 2025 Decorah FFA seniors who were recognized include Kiele Eberling, Logan Frye, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Blaine Leidahl, Rashell Lippe, Ella Mann, Hunter Quandahl, Elora Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter and Kamryn Werges. Annika Schmelzer presented the Star FFA Alumni and Supporters award to Mason & Jaden Falck and Keagen Einck. Kiele Eberling then recognized the 2025 Friends of Agriculture Award Recipient, David Forde. The 2024-2025 Chapter officers then presented the Honorary FFA Degree. The Honorary membership is for any farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of boards of education, chapter advisors, teachers, staff members in agricultural education, business people and others who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA and who have rendered outstanding service. They may be elected to honorary membership by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting or convention. This year's recipients were Nick and Allysen Lovstuen. During the 2025 FFA Awards Program, attendees had the opportunity to hear from a special guest speaker, Creed Monroe, an alumnus of the Decorah FFA chapter and current Iowa FFA Northeast State Vice President. He shared an inspiring message about the impact of FFA and agricultural education, highlighting the leadership and career opportunities available to students. His speech encouraged members to stay involved and challenged others to take advantage of the many opportunities FFA has to offer. Chapter Advisor Joni Bruvold thanked all the volunteers and individuals who have supported the chapter throughout the last year. Following Ms. Bruvold's speech, the Decorah FFA Alumni and Supporters came to the stage to provide an update. There also was a live auction to raise money for Decorah FFA Senior Scholarships through the Decorah FFA Alumni and Supporters. After watching the year in review video, the new officer installation took place before the banquet was adjourned. The 2024-2025 officers installed the following 2025-26 officers: President - Kamryn Werges to Gabe Monroe Vice President – Eden Scheidel to Annika Schmelzer Secretary – Karlie Einck to Karlie Einck Treasurer – Gabe Monroe to Lauren Holthaus Reporter – Brinlee Courtney to Jerikah Dodd Sentinel – Derek Tieskoetter to Brinlee Courtney Assistant Officer – Lyla Lovstuen to Rylee Averhoff. The officer team performed the closing ceremonies and concluded the banquet with the Pledge of Allegiance. Never a dull moment! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and stay one step ahead with local news and information you just can't get anywhere else.