04/23/2026
What a memorable night Tuesday evening was! We were joined by several of our Family, Friends, and Alumni to celebrate the accomplishments of our members from this year.
Lots of exciting components of the evening included not only our program, but a silent auction, live cake/meat auction, and socializing. We can't say "thank you" enough to all the businesses/individuals who graciously donated items to these auctions to support our chapter. We also greatly appreciate everyone who bid on these items as well. There was something for everyone this year!
Our 200+ guests enjoyed a delicious catered meal from Mom & Dad's BBQ and we're so grateful for their amazing food and excellent service! The desserts were the "icing on the cake" of a great dinner thanks to our FFA moms bringing homemade treats. Thank you to our FFA parents and even some of our members who stepped up to plate all these delicious desserts!
Additionally, the Kearney FFA Alumni & Supporters Chapter held an Official Dress clothing drive and did an exceptional job helping serve the meal and step in with clean up at the end of the Banquet. They also made keepsake gifts for our retiring seniors. Addie Fuller serves as the Outreach Chair and spoke during the program to encourage those that are interested to become involved. If you would like more information on this group, feel free to visit their page!
There were several highlights from the evening's program, including awards. We are so proud of what these members accomplished this year to earn their respective award! The following individuals were recognized:
Honorary Chapter Degree- Business: KAAPA Ethanol
Honorary Chapter Degree- Individual: Eli Riedel
Star Greenhand Degree: Aspen Hermance
Star Chapter Degree: Riley Rouse
Outstanding SAE: Graden Forbes
Distinguished Senior: Hudson Dellevoet
Frank Cepal Workhorse Award: Cooper Vasko
Frank Cepal Senior Scholarships: Hudson Dellevoet and Savannah Kelliher
Our Greenhand Degree recipients that were recognized for the beginning-level of achievement in FFA were:
Elena Axtell, Megan Bash, Jarren Blattner, Madison Chamberlin, Bryna Cochran, Riley Davis, Easton Haas, Aspen Hermance, Breckyn Krohn, Hamish McKenzie, Keagan Miller, Giana Mueller, Tripp Oxford, Aimee Scarrow, Korbin Skeen, Conner Sohl, Brynn Thoene, Logynn Thomas, Creighton Uhrich, Azul Vasquez Diaz, Addi Walters, Katie Wells
Our Chapter Degree recipients that were recognized for the intermediate-level of achievement in FFA were:
Brianna Brown, Alli Clark, Graden Forbes, Annie Seevers, Reese Howland, Seamus Kelliher, Emma Payne, Riley Rouse, Lexi Saulsbury, Ambry Taubenheim, Cooper Vasko
Our seniors retired their jackets in a sentimental ceremony and reflected on their FFA experiences and gave out roses to those that were with them along the way. Whether four years or just their senior year, we are so thankful for the time they spent in Kearney FFA and are looking forward to see where their journeys take them!
Seniors: Alivia Bailey, Emily Bridges, Rachel Covert, Hudson Dellevoet, Logan Helmick, Savanah Kelliher, Emma Kjar, and Giana Mueller.
The program concluded with installing the 2026-27 Kearney FFA Officer Team. This group will serve the chapter and community through leadership roles and encouraging member development. The new officer team consists of:
President: Cooper Vasko
Vice President: Noah Schmit
Secretary: Alli Clark
Treasurer: Graden Forbes
Reporter: Aspen Hermance
Sentinel: Riley Rouse
Parliamentarian: Annie Seevers
Historian: Lexi Saulsbury
Thank you again to everyone that had a part in celebrating our members at our annual Kearney FFA Banquet! From the meal, auctions, set-up/tear-down, and all the behind-the-scenes work it takes to host this event, we are grateful for everyone's help and support! 💙💛
While the Banquet sunsets our FFA year, we aren't quite done yet! We have our FFA Industry Tour Day, F.F.A. Night, State Horse Judging, and C**T in the month of May. We're looking forward to more opportunities to learn, grow, and connect before school is out for summer!
