BATH, SD – Agriculture education teachers/FFA advisors make a world of difference for the students they teach. This spring students put into words, as part of an FFA Advisor Tribute Scholarship application, how their ag teachers/FFA advisors have impacted their lives.
Thirty outstanding examples of amazing teachers impacting their students have been chosen out the applicants, and winning students will each receive scholarships to attend a SD FFA Leadership Retreat this summer.
West River Electric Association Scholarships:
Kaiva Coleman, Rapid City Stevens; Daphne White, Rapid City Stevens; Grace Peters, Rapid City Stevens; Elliot Hendrix, Rapid City Stevens; Drew Hoeke, Sturgis; and Rian Vollmer, Sturgis
Walt Johnson Memorial Scholarships:
Morgan Mackaben, Belle Fourche; Kord Colburn, Belle Fourche; Kennedy Harmon, Deuel; Derek Johnson, Doland; Modesty Heath, Wolsey-Wessington; Avery Zeisler, Gregory County; Aleisha Naze, Clark; Rylee Terveen, Bridgewater-Emery; Brittany Weegar, Viborg-Hurley; Bailey Weegar, Viborg-Hurley; Blaise McGregor, Webster-Waubay
Leonard DeBoer Memorial Scholarships:
Patrick Olson, Northwestern Area and Alyssa Feather, Wilmot
Thompson Scholarships:
Macy Bochek, Willow Lake; Nora Terhark, Willow Lake; James Poppen, Willow Lake; Shelby Anderson, Willow Lake; Kaylyn Hofer, Willow Lake; Emma Peterson, Willow Lake; Samantha Brenden, Willow Lake; and Ginny Warkenthien, Willow Lake
Sioux Valley Energy Scholarships:
Corie Wicks, Tri-Valley; Emery Pearson, Tri-Valley; and Sydney Boersma, Elkton
The students wrote essays about how their FFA advisors have made an impact on their lives. Each of these students think their advisor is one of the best and is happy to say so! Here are a few examples of what they shared:
- Morgan Mackaben, Belle Fourche senior and Kord Colburn, Belle Fourche sophomore appreciate how Mr. Austin Bishop helps grow leadership, “He gives us advice but leaves the decision to members. You could say he puts the baton in our hands, which helps us grow and learn how to make crucial decisions. When someone brought us a community service idea, he simply said ‘let’s see what the chapter thinks.’ He did not decide for us, but instead wanted to promote our leadership skills and let the chapter decide.”
- Kaiva Coleman, Rapid City Stevens junior shares, “Mrs. Genetie Hendrix is welcoming and brainstormed methods to make me less nervous while giving reasons. This boosted my confidence, helping me become more outgoing and social.” Elliot Hendrix, Rapid City Stevens junior adds, “She is one of the most driven, passionate people I know. She uses “tough-love encouragement to motivate us, and it works.” Daphne White, Rapid City Stevens sophomore adds, “When I met Mrs. Hendrix, I didn’t know who I was. Looking back, I was trying to be someone I wasn’t, but when I was brought into FFA she encouraged me to become my best self.”
- Grace Peters, Rapid City Stevens senior is grateful, “Mr. Chad Tussing gave me the confidence to take my passions and skills and turn them into success. He helped arrange a very successful job shadowing experience that solidified my career path.”
- Drew Hoeke, Sturgis and Rian Vollmer, Sturgis agree that, “Ms. Meagan Jensen taught us empathy, responsibility, and how to be calm and have a smile. She taught us nobody is perfect, but that we can do anything if we put our mind to it.”
- Patrick Olson, Northwestern Area sophomore says, “Mrs. Noelle Swanson has shown me that the world of agriculture has more opportunities than I thought by giving us opportunities that help us grow as leaders, students, and agriculturalists.”
- Modesty Heath, Wolsey-Wessington sophomore reflects, “Mr. Andrew Boersma builds people up and encourages them. He is passionate about teaching agriculture, willing to learn from us and listen to what we have to say. He gives back to the community and helped me learn the value of hard work, integrity, and helping others. He taught me what it means to be an FFA member and live with integrity.”
- Avery Zeisler, Gregory County sophomore comments, “As a new chapter, Mrs. Mollie Andrews had to overcome more obstacles than her students. Through it all, she persevered with a smile. She encouraged us and instilled in us the importance of becoming the best version of ourselves. This will stick with us as adults and help us overcome future problems.”
- Emery Pearson, Tri-Valley sophomore comments “Mrs. Sarah VanderVleit always has wise words and a way to work through every problem. She taught me I’m going to fail at some point, but getting back up shows who I am. She made FFA a family, a group that supported me, and all I wanted to accomplish.” Corie Wicks, Tri-Valley sophomore adds, “VanderVleit helps me see how much agriculture impacts our world and strives to ensure that everyone she knows appreciates the work that our farmers do.”
For more information about the South Dakota FFA Foundation and South Dakota’s FFA programs, visit www.sdffafoundation.org.
