Kari Schmidt of Sleepy Eye has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Winter (January-May) 2024 President’s List for achieving at least a 3.7 GPA.
By Alex Confer
Chapter Reporter
Zack Dominguez is a sophomore at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been in FFA for one year. Zack joined FFA because it’s fun and he can participate with his friends. Zack participates in the Poultry Career Development Event (CDE) because he and his friends have fun in the competition. Zack’s Supervised Ag. Experience (SAE) consists of bagging groceries at his workplace, Schutz Family Foods. His favorite FFA activity is the National Convention. Zack is looking forward to attending the National Convention this year because he enjoys the competition and he’s competing this year. While being in FFA, Zack has learned how to judge chickens. An award Zack is most proud of is his first place award at State Convention for his CDE.
Leo Fernandez is a senior at Sleepy Eye High School and is in his third year of FFA. Leo joined FFA so he could participate in the Poultry CDE team. Leo likes the team because of his teammates. Leo’s SAE consists of working on a turkey farm for a few years. His favorite FFA activity is the Ohio Exchange Trip. This year, Leo is looking forward to attending National Convention to compete in Poultry. Since Leo has joined Ag. Classes, he has learned more about his culinary capabilities. An award Leo is proud of earning is placing first at the State Convention for his CDE team.
Ethan Evans is a freshman and has been involved in FFA for three years. Ethan joined FFA because he was already participating in Ag. classes. Ethan is on the Best Informed Greenhand (BIG) CDE team. He likes the team because of everything he has learned. Ethan’s SAE is his job at Dairy Queen. Ethan’s favorite FFA activity is the State Convention. Ethan is looking forward to participating on the Poultry CDE team. Since joining FFA, Ethan has learned a lot about FFA history and livestock animals. Ethan is proud of his CDE team winning fourth at State Convention and individually winning first at Region Contest.
Caleb Suess is a junior and is in his fifth year of FFA. Caleb joined FFA because he wanted to be a better leader. Caleb is on the Soils team and likes the team because of his teammates and coaches. Caleb’s SAE consists of working for Hoffman Landscaping and Curbing, laying curb and installing sprinkler systems. His favorite FFA activity is the State Convention. This year, Caleb is looking forward to improving his welding skills. Since Caleb has joined Ag. Classes, he has learned how to weld and make shop projects. Some awards Caleb has earned include his Discovery Degree, Greenhand Degree, Chapter Degree, two time Ag. Bowl champion, and third place at State Convention for his CDE.
Noemi Rodriguez is a junior at Sleepy Eye High School and has been in FFA for four years. Noemi joined FFA because she wanted to see what it was like. Noemi served as the Social Media Reporter and she enjoyed getting to be in charge of the social media for the chapter. Noemi is on the Food Science CDE team and likes working with her teammates. Her favorite FFA activity is the Lock-Ins. Since joining FFA, Noemi has learned about her love for building. Noemi is proud of being able to serve as a FFA Foundation Ambassador at the State Convention this year.
Alex Confer is a sophomore at Sleepy Eye High School and has been in FFA for four years. Alex joined FFA because it is fun and offers lots of opportunities in the community. Alex served as the Reporter and she enjoyed learning more about responsibility and getting closer with the members of the chapter. Alex is on the Meats CDE team and has enjoyed attending State Convention for the past three years with the team. Alex’s SAE is in Plant Systems Ag. Research, which requires her to conduct multiple plant related experiments and participate in the Agriscience Fair. Alex is most looking forward to seeing her friends from Ohio this summer while at Timberland. Her favorite FFA activity was attending the National Convention. Since joining FFA, Alex has learned more about responsibility, leadership, time management, and public speaking. Some awards Alex has earned include first place in her proficiency at State Convention, first place in the Agriscience Fair at State Convention, first place overall at the Sleepy Eye Crop Show, and the Sophomore Achievement Award.
Alexandria Technical and Community College recognized students for academic excellence at the end of the fall semester.
The following area residents were named to the dean’s list for achieving grade-point averages of 3.5 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credits:
Sleepy Eye — Nicholas Mielke
The following students who were inducted into the St. Mary’s Honor Society:
front row: Jasmine Petermann, Lyndsey Sellner, Adelinde Hoffmann, Josie Helget
back row: Kailey Nelson, Ella Pollard, Maria Schwartz, Amelia Schwartz
Back: Brody Helget (left), Reed Arkins Sitting: Jaxyn Goldschmidt Front: Thomas Flores (left), Noah Briones
Kyson Christensen
Jada Schauman
Sleepy Eye fourth graders played hookey on May 14th to go fishing at Sleepy Eye Lake, with the blesing of their teachers Kylie Koerner and Mindy Hardin. This is a tradition Scott Hadley, former Sleepy Eye Elementary teacher, started when teaching.
Hardin spoke with Hadley recently and sa was his first year was in the early 90s,. His last year of fishing with the 4th graders was 2017, when he retired. The tradition has continued as this year marks Hardin’s 10th year of fishing.
“The first 3 years were with Scott, said Hardin, “I thought it was important to continue the fishing tradition.
Scott stated, “It was always my favorite day of the year.”
“Hands down, I agree,” said Hardin.
Parents, grandparents, and other family members are invited to join the students at the lake. It’s a full day of fishing, picnics, enjoying nature, and making memories with friends and family. Every fish caught is briefly admired and carefully released back in the lake.
Rebeca Alvarez, MS, Communication Disorders, Magna Cum Laude
Aubrey Corona, BS, Interdisciplinary Studies, Magna Cum Laude
Crystal Hecht, BS, Psychology
Crystal Hecht, CERT, Experimental Psychology
Kelsie Kosak, MS, Communication Disorders, Summa Cum Laude
Madison Krueger, BS, Elementary Education, Cum Laude
McKenna Strong, BS, Management, Magna Cum Laude
McKenna Strong, CERT, Integrated Business Experience Cert, Magna Cum Laude
St. Mary’s Students of the Day for the month of April. During April, our students and staff focused on the virtue of “Forgiveness” or pardoning those who offend you. These students did an outstanding job of demonstrating that virtue: (back row) Jay Schultz, (4th grade), Payton Krebs (5th grade), Jaxon Schroepfer (4th grade), Kara Miller (5th grade), Jaxsen Suess (5th grade), Max Murphy (5th grade) and Nathan Kucera (5th grade). Front row: Tessa Armbruster (4th grade), Xavier McKeown (kindergarten), Elizabeth Fischer (2nd grade), Florence Forster (kindergarten) and Bentley Riebel (2nd grade).
FFA Members were awarded Star Trophies for their efforts with chapter programs and service projects. These members participated in at least 7 of the activities. Star Award Winners for 2023-24 : L to r, front- Noah Rossbach, Kyle Capacia, Carter Lazatin, Kamille Capacia, Kenedi Wersal, Camryn Maher. Middle- Daniel Armstrong, Chole Howe, Noemi Rodriguez, Taylor Berkner, Lucia Martinez, Alex Confer, Lily Kallevig. Back- Jaelynn Schauman, Winsten Nienhaus, Ari Krzmarzick, Kayden Klein, Logan Ludewig, Marcus Martinez, Katelyn Tauer, Ellen Windschitl, Kenley Jensen, Jaden Stone, Isaac Lendt.
The Sleepy Eye FFA Top Stars and Leadership Award Winners for 2023-24 include, from left to right – front: Noemi Rodriguez, Jace Schauman, Noah Rossbach, Carter Lazatin, Alex Confer, Lily Kallevig, Emma Fischer, Kadence Lund, Kyle Capacia. Back: Chloe Howe, Ari Krzmarzick, Kayden Klein, Logan Ludewig, Isaac Lendt, Winsten Nienhaus, Marcus Martinez, Santiago Martinez, Jaden Stone.
The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter held the Awards Program on Sunday, May 5th, 2024. It was a great opportunity to honor the members and chapter leaders as well as the major supporters for the chapter throughout the year.
Successes this year for the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter include: 96 Discovery Degrees (7th & 8th graders), 48 Greenhand Degrees, 41 Chapter Degrees and 11 State Degrees. Many awards were presented to the active members and leaders of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter.
This year our FFA Chapter has continued with our Service Theme and conducted several different programs and activities throughout the entire . The Sleepy Eye FFA members who participated in at least four of these programs were named 4- 6 Star Members. If members participated in at least 7 of the programs they were named a Star Leader. 24 FFA members were presented with certificates for being a 4-6 Star Member and 28 members were presented with trophies for being a 7-12 Star Leader.
The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter presented three Diamond Awards to supporters of the Chapter and its members. The Diamond Award went to Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Club, Miller Sellner Implement, and Schwartz Farms.
This year there were six Platinum, TOP LEVEL Sponsors – Edward Jones- Bill & Julie Ries, Cunningham Seed Farms, Central Region Cooperative, CoBank, Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club, and Mary Ann Christensen.
These businesses and individuals supported FFA members by providing new FFA Jackets, sponsored Chapter and Crop Show Awards, Ag. Program needs, Conventions, Service Projects, and much more.
Each year, top scholar awards are presented to one active FFA member in each grade who has the highest GPA in their respective class. These members received a plaque and a scholarship pin: Megan Sellner (freshmen), Jaelynn Schauman (sophomore), Nora Coulson (junior), Isaac Lendt (senior).
We also recognized members that participated in CDE’s, Agriscience Fair, State FFA Band & Choir, and State Proficiencies.
The Honorary Chapter Degree award is presented to an individual who supports the Sleepy Eye FFA in exceptional ways throughout the year. This year’s Honorary Chapter Degree was presented to an individual who is a great help to our chapter and school – Alisa Mangen.
There were two groups of people who were presented with an Appreciation Award for 2024: Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Club and the Servicemen’s Club.
The fruit sale was a successful fundraiser for our FFA Chapter this year. A great deal of thanks goes to our 4 top sellers who sold over $7000 of products for the fruit sales. The Top Junior High Fruit Seller was Allanah Urbano with over $2200 of products sold. The 2nd Place Junior High Top Seller was Camryn Maher with over $1400 in sales. Our Top High School Fruit Seller was Destiney Dittbenner with over $2300 of products sold. The 2nd Place High School Top Seller was Lily Kallevig with over $1100 in Sales.
The leadership awards are presented to FFA members from each class who displayed tremendous amounts of leadership skills throughout the year and who participated in numerous FFA events. The freshman winners were Jace Schauman and Jaden Stone. Sophomore recipients included: Noah Rossbach, Logan Ludewig, Carter Lazatin. Junior winners were Chloe Howe and Noemi Rodriguez. Senior winners included: Marcus Martinez, Kyle Capacia, and Kadence Lund.
The Phoenix Awards are presented each year for Students who are upcoming leaders. These 2 individuals got involved, got others involved, and showed true enthusiasm for the FFA. This year’s Phoenix Award Winners were Ari Krzmarzick and Kayden Klein.
The Star Greenhand Award goes to the most outstanding Freshmen Greenhand degree participant for the year. This award is presented to a first year high school member who is active in the chapter, and who has demonstrated leadership and scholarship. This year’s Star Greenhand was SANTIAGO MARTINEZ.
The Sophomore Achievement Award states, “Overall Success is Achieved through Hard Work and Dedication.” The Sophomore Achievement Award Winner for 2024 was ALEX.
CONFER.
LILY KALLEVIG received the Outstanding Junior Award, called the Blue and Gold Award. This award acknowledges someone for overall achievement in the FFA.
The Star in Ag. Placement Award is presented to a member who has an outstanding production placement SAE program and who is involved in all areas of the chapter’s activities. A placement SAE program means that you have a project where you work for someone in agriculture. This year’s winner of Chapter Star in Ag. Placement was EMMA FISCHER.
This year’s recipient of the Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award was WINSTEN NIENHAUS. This award is presented to the most outstanding senior in the areas of scholarship, leadership, and supervised agricultural experience.
The Star Farmer Award is presented to a member who has an outstanding entrepreneurship SAE program and who is involved in all areas of the chapter’s activities. This year’s winner of Chapter Star Farmer Award was ISAAC LENDT.
The 2023-24 Retiring FFA Officer Team was recognized for their exceptional efforts in leading the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter for the year. The night ended with the installation with the 2024-25 FFA Officer Team.
Mrs. Hoffmann commented on the year, “I am so proud of all of the hard work and dedication the members show on a daily basis – through their efforts with CDE’s, their SAE’s, Ag. Classes, and Community Services projects. What a great year this has been! We started out strong by earning the Top 10 Model of Excellence Award at the National FFA Convention. And now, to bring everything to a close with a great State FFA Convention, having 72 individuals go to state is amazing.”
Hoffmann added, “Having 2 Runner Up Proficiency Finalists- Isaac and Emma, having a State Winning Proficiency with Alex, and Isaac being named Star Farmer… being a top ten chapter in the state for the Ag. Literacy Challenge and 3rd in the state for the Land of Service Award, and last, but certainly not least, earning the #1 Premier Chapter in the state for the National Chapter Award. These are all fantastic accomplishments! The Sleepy Eye FFA is about students developing leadership skills, experiencing personal growth, and serving the Sleepy Eye Community and I am extremely honored to work with them each day.”
