Bainbridge High School Future Farmers of America members were honored for outstanding leadership in many areas at their annual Parent Member Banquet on Monday night at the school cafeteria. The festivities began with the presentation of Greenhand Degrees to first-year members who have a working knowledge of the FFA organization. Greenhand Degree recipients included Mason Birdsong, Tyler Braswell, Tucker Brock, Ciarra Coddington, Eric Conner and Allie Deal. Also receiving Greenhand Degrees were Meagan Harrison, McKenna Locke, Chelsea Lynn, Charley Rayfield, Meagan Philips, Lauren Strickland and Emily Wilson. Chapter Degrees, which go annually to second-year members who have an acceptable Supervised Agriculture Experience project, were presented to nine members . They included Hannah Bius, Landen Bryant, Taylor Givens, Eric Holley, Megan Kelly, Savannah Locke, Chason Phillips, James Wilson and Bittany Moore. Will Bius and Nolan Lovering received State Degrees for having an acceptable Supervised Agriculture Experience project. Earning a Career Development Event (CDE) Award for representing Area 5 in tractor operations was Landen Bryant. Ciarra Coddington earned a CDE Award for nursery landscaping and Savannah Locke and Allie Deal earned CDE Awards for floral design. Meredith Conder and McKenna Locke were honored for advancing to state competition in the senior and junior public speaking CDE competition. Locke placed third overall in the junior division. They had to present a speech they individually prepared before a panel of judges ad re respond to questions from the judges. James Wilson, Tyler Braswell, Mason Birdsong and Eric Holley earned Environmental Natural Resources CDE Awards for natural resources indentification and scientific naming of trees. Charley Rayfield received the FFA Quiz Career Development Award for learning FFA history and facts along with parliamentary procedure. She also won the CDE Creed Speaking Award. Landen Bryant received the CDE award for lawnmower operations and maintenance and Meredith Conder received the FFA job intervew CDE award. Savannah Locke received the secretary leadership award and Brian Sapp was recognized for being elected Area 5 reporter for the 2012-2013 school year. Will Bius received the 2012 DeKalb Agriculture Accomplishment Award. Savannah Locke, Megan Kelley, Briana Sapp and Taylor Givens were honored for attending the success conference, in Covington, Ga. It is a leadership conference that targets 10th through 12th grade members in developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Taylor Givens, Briana Sapp, Chason Phillips, and Eric Holley were recognized for attending the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. Proficiency awards went to Asia Erving for lamb production; Nolan Lovering, Taylor Strickland, Will Bius, Hannah Bius, Jacob Hall and Chelsea Lynn for beef production; and Audrey Anderson, Landen Bryant, Clint Edmunds, Taylor Givens, Megan Kelley, Charley Rayfield, Tucker Brock, Jason Long, Brittany Moore, James Wilson, Emily Wilson, Ciarra Coodington and Taylor Strickland for swine production. Savannah Locke received an efficiency award for equine production and Meredith Conder received one for agricultural communications. Adults Vonda Hubbard, Denise Bius, Mel Lovering and David Lovering were honored with honorary membership degrees for their strong support of the FFA program. The ceremonies concluded with the installation of officers for the 2012-2013 school year. They are president Taylor Strickland, vice president Meredith Conder, second vice president Savannah Locke, secretary Charley Rayfield, assistant secretary Chelsea Lynn, treasurer Megan Kelley, reporter McKenna Locke, sentinel Tucker Brock, historian Taylor Givens, chaplain Emily New, parliamentarian Jacob Thorne and conductor Briana Sapp.

BAINBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL 2012-2013 FFA officers are ready to serve. They are: front row, left to right, Megan Kelley, Taylor Givens, Briana Sapp, McKenna Locke, Chelsea Lynn and Charley Rayfield; back row, left to right, Tucker Brock, Savannah Locke, Taylor Strickland, Meredith Conder and Emily New.