Hunter Cooksey, President of the Como-Pickton FFA, welcomes guests to the annual
Como-Pickton FFA Banquet, Tuesday night.

 

Como-Pickton FFA Celebrates
Year of Accomplishments With
Tuesday Night's Annual Banquet

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

        

Tuesday night's banquet began with the traditional FFA Flag Ceremony.

 

It was a night of celebration for student members of the Como-Pickton FFA, as they conducted their annual parent-member banquet, on Tuesday night, in the school cafeteria. The night began with a welcome from FFA President, Hunter Cooksey and the invocation offered by Mike and Lisa Lageschaar. The Flag Ceremony was conducted by Chelsey Coke, Blayne Edney, Wilke Jacobs, Nathan Casterena, Jenna Sturgill, and Chelsie Edwards.

 

These students were recognized for being members of the Como-Pickton Show Team.

 

Guests were introduced by Lindsey Watkins and a chicken fried steak meal, prepared by the cafeteria staff, was enjoyed by all.

 

The students received CDE Awards, Tuesday night.

 

The "big award winner" on Tuesday night was senior Lisa Lageschaar, who won over $18,000.00 in scholarships to continue her education. The total included scholarships from Cargill, the Ft. Worth Dairy Judging Contest, and other venues. Chelsey Coke was awarded a $1,500.00 scholarship from the NETLA Organization, because of her participation in the local livestock organization over her 4-H and FFA career.

 

Lisa Lageschaar won over $18,000.00 in scholarships to continue her education.

 

Chelsey Coke received the NETLA $1,500.00 Scholarship from Tawlene Lampp.

 

The Star Awards were presented to: Discovery Level - Kyle Forbes; Star Greenhand - Ryan Humphrey; Star Chapter Farmer - Michael Lageschaar; and Star Lone Star Farmers - Lisa Lageschaar and Lindsey Watkins.

 

 

Star Discovery winner was Kyle Forbes and Star Greenhand was Ryan Humphrey.

  

Mike Lageschaar was awarded the Star Chapter Farmer and Lisa Lageschaar and Lindsey Watkins were
awarded the Star Lone Star Farmers.

 

 

Students were presented with 26 Proficiency Awards in each of the FFA project areas, as well as Jessica Clark being presented the Ag Science Student of the Year Award. Given to the top senior student in the Como-Pickton FFA, Lisa Lageschaar, was presented the Dekalb Award, for her outstanding performace over her four year high school career.

 

Jessica Clark was awarded the Ag Science Student of the Year Award.

 

Outstanding students in the Como-Pickton Ag Coop Program were recognized as being Lindsey Watkins and Sandra Steinbeck.

 

These Junior FFA Members were recognized as the future of the local chapter.

 

School Board Member Mark Humphrey and Dairy Show Team Sponsors, Troy and Christy Hennington, were selected for the Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree, presented to individuals who render outstanding support to the chapter.

 

Mark Humphrey and Troy and Christy Hennington were awarded the Honorary Chapter Farmer
Degrees for their support of the Como-Pickton FFA Chapter.

 

The final event of the evening was the naming of the 2009-10 Como-Pickton FFA Officer Team. Paige Cooksey, who will be a senior, next year, was selected by her peer to lead the chapter for the coming year. She accepts the position from her twin brother, Hunter Cooksey, who served in the position for 2008-09.

 

These youth will serve as the Como-Pickton FFA Officer Team for 2009-10.

 

"We've had an outstanding year and when you start looking back in preparation for this banquet, you soon realize that we've had something going just about every day," exclaimed a jubilant Michael Bowen, Vocational Agriculture Teacher at Como-Pickton. "These have been some outstanding students and we certainly will miss a great group of seniors, but know that they will continue to contribute to life richly and we're expecting great things from them!"

 

Paige Cooksey accepted the gavel as the new president of the Como-Pickton FFA Chapter for 2009-10,
from her twin brother, Hunter Cooksey, who served as the 2008-09 President.

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