The Milbank FFA Chapter celebrated their 2025-2026 experiences and accomplishments with a banquet held at MHS on Thursday, April 30. The chapter also welcomed family, friends, and supporters.
Jason Karels, the woodshop teacher at MHS, was awarded the Honorary Chapter Degree for helping to advance agricultural education. The degree salutes an individual, such as a farmer, teacher, parent, or community member who has rendered outstanding service to a local FFA chapter. The recipient is nominated by the chapter and selected by a majority vote. The MHS 2026-2027 FFA Officer Team was also announced.
2026-2027 Milbank Officer Team
President – Bailey Schwagel
Vice-President – Brooklynn Twedt
Secretary – Kayla Schweer
Treasurer – McKenzie Moe
Reporter – Levi Street
Sentinel – Cody Wiik
Student Adviser – Alexis Meyer
Special Awards Presented:
Justin Maass Award – Ashlynn Lamp
The Seize the Moment Award is voted on by FFA members and presented to the member who best represented enthusiasm and dedication to the chapter throughout the year.
The FFA Star Greenhand Award – Alayna Gloe The award recognizes the most active first-year (freshman) member at the chapter level who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and developed a strong plan for their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)..
Most Improved Member – Kayla Schweer
DeKalb Accomplishment Award – Kenzie Kooima The award is presented to one FFA student per chapter who exemplifies scholarship, commitment, work ethic, and passion for pursuing a career in agriculture.
Outstanding Middle School Member: – Neveah Nilson
Degrees Earned
State FFA Degree – Ashlynn Lamp, Kenzie Kooima, and Kalli Grong. The state degree – earned by only about three percent of FFA members nationwide – is the highest honor a state association can bestow on its members. It is awarded to top-tier leadership with two-plus years of agricultural education and significant investment in an SAE..
The Greenhand FFA Degree – Kyler Brandenburger, William DeBoer, Alayna Gloe, ChiAnne Gilmore , Isabella Hicks, Avery Lamp, Payton Lamp, Addison Locke, Declan Peschong, Levi Street, Kinley VanHoorn, Ellery Cardwell, Oliver Erickson, Sam Garcia, Shyenne Giossi, Darin Hagen, MacKenzie Moe, Devon Mueller, Jack Street, Layten Osowski, Seth VanHoorn, Anastaysia Wood, and TJ Wojahn. The Greenhand Degree is designed for ninth grade or older students and recognizes them for learning FFA history, adopting the creed, and initiating an SAE.
Chapter Degree: Luke Torgerson, Mackenzie Mueller, Teaneashae Vogel, Brooklynn Twedt, and Taylor Anderson. The Chapter FFA Degree is the highest degree a local chapter can award, typically given to second-year members in 10th grade or higher.
The FFA Discovery Degree – Rylan Locke, Aubree Madsen, Kendra Grong (Not pictured Tenley Bohn, Brock Sime, and Madelyn Van Lith.) Awarded at the chapter level, the Discovery Degree recognizes members in seventh or eighth grade who are starting their agricultural journey.
Sara Colombe is the Milbank agricultural education teacher and the Milbank FFA Chapter adviser. She also serves as the president of the South Dakota Association of Agricultural Educators and as an NAEE National Agriscience Ambassador.
Submitted Photos: Top- Chapter Group.
Officers- back row, left to right, Hunter Reede, Kenzie Kooima, Bailey Schwagel, Cody Wiik,
with Chapter Honorary Degree Jason Karels. Front row, Alexis Meyer, Megan Weise, and Ashlynn Lamp.
Incoming Officers- back row, left to right, Kayla Schweer, Brooklynn Twedt, Levi Street, Cody Wiik. Front row, Alexis Meyer, McKenzie Moe, and Bailey Schwagel.
Ashlynn Lamp
Staff
No comments so far.
Be first to leave comment below.