Pottawatomie County’s top Future Farmers of America students were told this week that while they were receiving a great honor, a great responsibility goes with it.
Dr. Joe Taron, who is a longtime civic and community leader in Pottawatomie County, told those gathered for the annual Richards FFA Awards banquet “your conduct needs to be above reproach. Your peers will look up to as role models,” he said.
Eight students from the chapters throughout Pottawatomie County were honored at the banquet held at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center.
Taron, a retired dentist, and an avid supporter of FFA and youth activities, asked “why we are here? We are here because we believe in FFA and because we support FFA.” He said the FFA program is “a great program” and added “the FFA program better prepares students for life than any other program.”
Richards and Jamie Barrick, a partner in Richards Drugs Stores, presented the awards during this week’s banquet.
This year’s recipients include Heather Anderson, Dale; Kailee Himes, Wanette; Courtney Sears, Macomb; Andrew Wilson, Bethel; Patty Stevens, Asher; Cody Stanford, Shawnee; Chris Cranford, McLoud; and Kelby Rounsaville, Tecumseh.
Information on the following four recipients was not printed in Wednesday’s paper due to space limitations.
Andrew Wilson
Andrew Wilson is a junior member of the Bethel FFA Chapter. At the banquet Wilson was joined by his mother LaDonna Ackerman and Aunt Tammy Egger. He is the son of the late Andy Wilson and LaDonna and Ron Ackerman. His siblings are Ashley Wilson, Andrea Wilson, and Alyssa Wilson.
He is an avid outdoorsman and his passion for animals and farming was instilled in him by his father, Andy Wilson, who was also an FFA member during his high school days.
Bethel Vo-Ag advisor Colby Cagle described Wilson as “an outstanding young man. Andrew is an incredibly responsible, honest, and hard-working individual. Over the past two years I have seen this young man in action working hard on his studies, SAE projects, at home, or at one of his many part-time jobs.”
Wilson was chosen by Cagle as Bethel’s show swine committee chairman. Cagle said “he works extremely well with the others in his chapter and makes sure that they and their animal are in pristine condition for the show ring. Andrew and I have spent many hours in the truck hauling to shows, and doctoring animals. Andrew’s leadership abilities may not earn him titles or awards but he is a leader and leads well by example. His dependability and examples have earned him the respect he so deserves from his peers and members within our community.
“If this award is to honor the outstanding members within our chapters that are future leaders of tomorrow that exhibit, honesty, integrity, dedication, commitment, and hard work, then Andrew Wilson is our 2009 Richard Drug Award Honoree,” Cagle finished.
Patty Stevens, Asher FFA
Among her achievements are the following: 2006 Star Greenhand Award, 2006-2008 Asher FFA Top Salesman Award, 2007 Star Chapter Farmer, State Quiz Bowl qualifier, State Advanced Quiz Bowl qualifier, 1st Hampshire (swine) at Pott. County Livestock Show, first place Crossbred (swine) at the Pott. County Junior Livestock Show, eighth place Crossbred gilt at the OK Youth Expo and 2007 Chapter Reporter.
Stevens is a senior this year at Asher High School. Her parents are Randy and Rhonda Stevens. She is going to Seminole State College in the fall, eventually finishing at OSU. She plans to be a veterinarian.
She has also worked at the Rockin’ B.B. Ranch for two years.
Cody Stanford, Shawnee FFA
Shawnee’s FFA recipient for 2009 is Cody Stanford. He is a senior at Shawnee High School and is involved in FFA, showing sheep. He also plays basketball. Cody has been involved with FFA and Ag-Ed classes for four years.
He is the son of Curtis and Tricia Stanford, who reside north of Shawnee on a farm with hay, cattle and sheep. Cody has plans to attend college to play basketball.
His father and sister both were previous winners of the Richards FFA award.
Chris Cranford, McLoud FFA.
Chris Cranford is a senior and currently serving as McLoud FFA chapter reporter. He has attended central Oklahoma Leadership Conference, Made for Excellence leadership conferences attended state conventions. Cranford is a member of the state ag mechanics team and his SAE projects consist of sheep and goats. Also his ability and skills in Ag mechanics was noted during the banquet. Cranford is the son of Stana Gunder.
SHAWNEE, Okla. —
