The new Wethersfield FFA officers for the coming school year were announced at the FFA Banquet. [Photos by Jayden Magnussen with The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program]

***Jayden Magnussen is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.

Wethersfield FFA members were honored at the annual FFA Banquet at Midland Country Club.

An opening ceremony was conducted by officers — President Makenna Witte, Vice Presidents Lilly Clark and Megan Oliver, Secretary Abigail Cabada, Treasurer: Addison Looney, Chaplain: BreAnna Peed, Reporter: Ashley Oliver, Sentinel Abigail VanDeSampel and Historians Lauren Dana and Alianna Martinez. 

This year, the WHS FFA chapter had 72 active members, 54 of home attended the banquet. Seventy guests also attended.

Candidates who are eligible for the Greenhand degree and chapter degree receive their certificate and pin.

These Wethersfield FFA members received the Greenhand Degree at the banquet.

Greenhand recipients are first-year members enrolled in an agricultural education course. 

To qualify as a chapter member, a student must fulfill a second year as an active FFA member, be enrolled in an agricultural class, participate in three chapter activities and be approved by an advisor. 

There were 27 Greenhand recipients, 10 Chapter Degree recipients and nine three-year members. 

Brittney McLean, Elizabeth Dooley and Sydney Paxton received the Star Geenhand award. 

During this school year, members participated in the Illinois FFA state convention, Hog Days pork chop tent, Greenhand conference, Section 3 forestry career development event, Section 3 land use career development event, FFA trapshoot team, National FFA Convention, Section 3 food science career development event, Section 3 LTS Leadership Training School, Section 3 horse evaluation career development Event, Section 3 vet science career development event, Quad CIty Farm Show, Ground Zero, Section 3 Living to Serve, National FFA Week committee, Section 3 poultry career development event, State Bank of Toulon appreciation breakfast, Section 3 livestock judging career development event, Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day, National Ag Day Kiwanis luncheon, Wethersfield FFA Chapter National Ag Day appreciation breakfast, freshman orientation FFA table and Section 3 horticulture career development Event. 

Outgoing FFA President Makenna Witte inducts next year’s president, Ava Jackson.

FFA faculty adviser announced graduating senior members Jzahbel Rivera, Abigail Cabada, Natalie Nelson, Parker Miskinis, Carson Jermenc, Jonathan Torres, Devon Horrie, Addison Looney, Makenna Witte, BreAnna Peed, Wavelynn Peart, Megan Oliver, Lilly Clark, Ayden DeValkenaere, Ava Salazar, Jesus Perez and Drew Hornback.

New officers for the 2026-27 school year will be:

President: Ava Jackson

Vice President: Brittney McLean

Secretary: Ashley Oliver

Treasurer: Lauren Dana

Reporter: Elizabeth Dooley

Sentinel: Carter Brown

Historian: Jorrie Miskinis