Five senior members of the JWP FFA Chapter present their belt buckles: Ellie Morsching, Kwynn Krause, Lillian Ewert, Charles Adams, and Evan Olson
The Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (JWP) FFA chapter marked another historic milestone at its sixth annual banquet on May 17. Gathering at Farmamerica with over 70 members, families, and supporters in attendance, the chapter celebrated a banner year defined by growth, dedication, and community support.
Co-President Ellie Morsching welcomed the crowd to open the formal program, leading the officers through the traditional FFA meeting protocol where each role is signified by historic symbols, including the owl, George Washington, and the American flag.
Topping the night’s celebrations was the announcement that JWP FFA has officially reached 100 active members. This impressive milestone comes on the heels of the chapter receiving its fourth consecutive Superior Chapter award at the Minnesota State FFA Convention—a prestigious honor recognizing the program’s excellence among the 220 FFA chapters statewide.
The banquet was a poignant moment of transition for the JWP FFA program. Attendees paid tribute to former FFA Advisor Caitlin Oeltjenbruns. Though she was unable to attend, her immense efforts and dedication in reigniting the JWP FFA chapter were warmly acknowledged by the members and alumni.
Stepping into the role with high energy and deep roots is the JWP’s new agriculture teacher and to-be FFA advisor, Amy Jentges. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Jentges grew up on a small family farm and brings extensive personal experience in FFA and 4-H. Her passion and enthusiasm for agricultural education were clear as she helped guide the evening’s festivities.
JWP FFA’s success is deeply intertwined with its local community. Shawn Stoley, president of the JWP FFA Alumni Supporters, spoke on the vital role the alumni play. While FFA is a school-affiliated organization, its extensive lineup of trips, leadership events, and contests must be funded independently.
Throughout the year, the alumni and supporters have worked tirelessly to raise funds through signature community events like Music in the Park, Donkey Basketball, the HayDaze parade, breakfast fundraisers, and fruit sales. Presenters expressed tremendous appreciation for these efforts, encouraging the chapter’s newly graduating seniors to one day join the alumni ranks and keep the tradition of support alive. In a gesture of gratitude, special awards were also presented to the parents of the chapter’s co-presidents.
The heart of the banquet focused on celebrating the individual achievements of the chapter’s hardworking members:
- FFA Degrees: Members received various degrees recognizing their progression in agricultural education. Discovery Degrees were awarded to the program’s youngest youth completing their first year in FFA. Greenhand Degrees were presented to first-years who showed a foundational commitment to the Chapter, and the coveted Chapter Degree—the highest honor a local chapter can bestow—was awarded to qualifying members.
- State-Level Honors: Madelynn Lueck was celebrated for earning her Minnesota State FFA Degree at the state convention. Additionally, Kayle Langford was recognized for her outstanding talent, having spent three consecutive years performing in the prestigious Minnesota State FFA Honor Band.
- Career Development Events (CDE): The Agricultural Mechanics team consisting of Chase Gerdts, Evan Olson, Tyson Johnson, and Parker Gearierty was celebrated for a third-place finish at a regional event, earning a trip to State FFA where they received a silver rating.
- Top Fundraiser: The chapter recognized Ethan Cowdin, who led the annual fruit sales fundraiser by personally raising $1,767.
- Blue and Gold Awards: These special honors for leadership and volunteering were awarded to Madelynn Lueck and AidenCummins.
- Belt Buckle Awards: Recognized for outstanding dedication to the chapter were Cummins, Lueck, Olson, Langford, Ellie Morsching, and Lilly Ewert.
- Six-Year Members: Special recognition went to the dedicated six-year members who have anchored the JWP Chapter: Ewert, Kwynn Krause, Zachary Blasing, Olson, Morsching, Cummins, and Charles Adams.
- Underclassmen Recognition: Four new members received their introductory certificates, and Mya Gartner was honored with the outstanding ninth-grade award.
Awards aside, the banquet also served as a final send-off for an exceptionally large and influential senior class. Well over 15 graduating seniors were honored with their blue and gold senior graduation cords. Following the distribution of retiring officer gifts, the chapter looked ahead to the upcoming school year.
A selection process on May 14 established the new officer team that will lead the 100-member chapter forward. In a traditional ceremony, the outgoing “old guard” officers symbolically knighted the new officers into their respective leadership roles. Lueck was promoted to President, Ethan Cowdin was promoted to Vice President, Jasimyn Holland was selected as Secretary, and Maya Olson named Treasurer. When asked to accept the responsibilities of their offices, the new leaders responded with a unified, resolute “We Do.”
With the ceremonial handoff complete, President Lueck and her new officer team officially took the stage, running the meeting through its final moments until its formal adjournment. Though a strong core of senior leadership will hang up their FFA jackets at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 year, a change in Officers and Advisors hopes to bring new opportunities for even more substantial growth for the JWP Chapter. With 100 participants eager to learn about agriculture, JWP FFA is not just defining success for a Chapter, it’s redefining it with each passing year and the 2026-2027 group appears to be in good hands.
