Scott Berger, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Alexandria Technical & Community College, recognizes individual students for academic excellence. Nicholas Mielke of Sleepy Eye, MN was named to the Dean’s List for achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credits Fall Semester 2023.

By Alex Confer, Chapter Reporter

Camryn Maher is an eighth grader at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been involved with FFA for 2 years. Camryn joined FFA because she wanted to learn more and participate in all the fun activities. She is the Junior Officer Team Reporter and has enjoyed getting more involved in the chapter. Camryn is on the Companion Animals team and did the Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event. She liked these events because of the teachers as well as learning about animals and opportunities. Camryn’s favorite activity she is looking forward to going to State FFA Convention. Since joining FFA she has learned more about FFA itself as well as different facts and careers. An award Camryn had earned is her discovery degree and she is proud of making it to state in the Creed Competition.

Kadence Lund is a senior at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been participating in FFA for 5 years. Kadence joined FFA to make new friends and make connections in our region. Kadence was on the Milk Quality and Forestry CDE (Career Development Event) teams. She likes being able to make new friends and working with other people on the teams. Her favorite FFA activity is the fruit sale. This year, Kadence is looking forward to the end of year banquet. Since Kadence has joined FFA she has learned that Ag can mean multiple things like business and resources as well as farming. Some awards she has achieved are her Discovery Degree, Greenhand Degree, and Chapter Degree. She also hopes to be getting her State and American Degrees in the future.

Carter Lazatin is a sophomore at Sleepy Eye High School and this is his 4th year in FFA. Carter joined FFA to compete in CDE’s as well as explore activities in the school year and summer. Carter is on the Milk Quality CDE team. He likes to attend competitions and eat cheese with the team. Carter’s SAE is working at the school, cleaning and waxing the floors. His favorite FFA activity is the Summer Ag Tours. Carter is looking forward to competing at State Convention and potentially National Convention. Since Carter has joined Ag. classes, he has learned how to work on small engines. The awards Carter has earned include getting 1st at Regions with the Milk Quality Team, the Phoenix Award, and JH Crop Show Reserve Champion in 2021.

Makayla Strong is an eighth grader at Sleepy Eye Public and this is her 2^nd year in FFA. She joined FFA to make new friends and because her older brother was very involved in FFA. Makayla is the Junior Officer Team President. She is on the Meats CDE Team as well as Best Informed Greenhand. She enjoys these events because Ms. Emmett is her coach. Makayla is looking forward to Timberland Camp next summer as well as State and National FFA Convention. She has learned how to take on responsibility from being in FFA. The award she is the most proud of is being the 2023 Jr. High Crop Show Champion.

December 2023-  Students of the Month

Kdgn- Lennon Ludewig                  Kdgn- Landon Hinderman

1^st –   Avielle Reim                       1^st – Marco Guerra

2^nd–     Lucas Sellner                     2^nd – Jaycee Romberg

3^rd –    Brinley Peterson                 3^rd –  Karin Barka

4^th –     Gracelynn Gerzick              4^th –  Grace Wersal

5^th –    Brayden Deibele                 5^th – Brynne Jacobsen

6^th –  Valeria Hernandez- Benitez     6^th – Alexis Hoffman