ALAH FFA holds annual awards banquet

By Editor | April 28, 2026 |

The ALAH FFA chapter held its annual awards banquet earlier this month at the Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School. During the evening, many awards were handed out, and the new FFA officer team was installed.

The evening began with President Will Hilligoss welcoming everyone and the opening ceremonies were presented by the 2025-2026 FFA officer team. Secretary Anna Rawlins gave the invocation. Following the meal, the award ceremonies and special recognitions were awarded along with the FFA Creed, presented by Beau Green, Greyson Yoder, Griffin Hilton, and Ronnie Jacobs.

The Career Development awards are given to members who competed in the CDE competitions this year and were announced by Summer Melton and certificates presented by Isabel Melton. Members participating in these events must think critically and make rational decisions on specific situations that relate to curriculum areas in Agriculture.

This year the ALAH FFA teams competed in a few contests this year and members receiving recognition along with certificates were:

Section 17 Land Use: Beau Green, Anna Rawlins, Morgan Casteel, Isabel Melton, Adyson Hopkins, Tucker Casteel, Abigail Miller, Blayne Louden

Section 17 Agronomy – 4th place team: Keely Simpson, Morgan Casteel, Abigail Miller, Anna Rawlins – 6th place

State Agronomy: Keely Simpson, Abigail Miller, Anna Rawlins

Section 17 Horse Evaluation – 2nd place team: Summer Melton – 5th place, Lillian Evans – 6th place, Makenzie Miller, Isabel Melton

Section 17 Veterinary Science – 1st place team: Keely Simpson – 3rd place, Annie Ponder – 8th place, Violet Butler, Lillian Evans

State Veterinary Science: Keely Simpson, Annie Ponder, Violet Butler, Adyson Hopkins

They will also be attending livestock evaluation and the ag mechanics career development events later this spring.

Proficiency award winners were recognized next. FFA members begin a Supervised Agricultural Experience. Through these projects, they record all of the time and money invested over the course of their FFA career. This is a very time-consuming process and includes the students submitting their project books, interviewed by a group of industry professionals and scored on their books and knowledge of their project.

Section 17 Veterinary Science: Adyson Hopkins Section 17 winner and District 4 finalist

Section 17 Agricultural Services: Abigail Miller Section 17 Winner, District 4 Winner, and State finalist

Section 17 Vegetable Production: Will Hilligoss 2nd place

The FFA officers presented the degree ceremonies for the Greenhand, Chapter, State, and Honorary recognitions.

Twenty-eight FFA members earned the Greenhand Degree, which is for first year FFA members who have learned the history, structure, and principles of the FFA organization. and actively participate in the programs. These members were given the Greenhand Degree pin, which is made of bronze, to wear on their FFA jackets. Members who earned the Greenhand Degree were Nolan Bartley, Macelyn Boddy, Wyatt Brinkley, Brodie Carter, Kyndrie Carter, Alyssa Davis, Cannon Doggett, Lillian Evans, Abigail Franklin, Beau Green, Cooper Gibbs, Bentley Griffith, Griffin Hilton, Bentley Hutson, Kaitlyn Jacobs, Ronnie Jacobs, Norma Mendoza, Ava Moody, Carson Reed, Lincoln Scroggins, Colton Snyder, Dustin Snyder, Gabriel Warrick, Landon Willoughby, and Greyson Yoder.

The Star Greenhand Award went to Beau Green. This award is given to a first year FFA member who has participated in FFA events, volunteered when extra hands were needed and has demonstrated promise and commitment within their Supervised Agriculture Experience.

The Chapter FFA degree was presented to 19 members and is awarded to second and third-year members who have excelled in their chapter and have earned their Greenhand degree. Recipients included Wesley Adcock, Layla Beck, Anden Berry, Solomon Binion, Lucas Butcher, Violet Butler, Colin Dixon, Coby Drake, Brady Ellis, Shelbey Grimsley, Cruz Hale, Kamden Morfey, Ella Oye, Zeb Peck, Annelise Ponder, Bella Romine, Keely Simpson, Mace Stirrett, and Kate Wiley.

The highest FFA Degree that can be earned in the state of Illinois is the State FFA Degree and this year Adyson Hopkins met the requirements. She has earned and productively invested $1500 or worked a total of 750 hours in her Supervised Agricultural Experience, participated in five activities above the chapter level, volunteered 25 hours of community service, and went through an interview process with area agricultural teachers. Adyson will have the opportunity to walk across the stage at the Illinois State FFA Convention in June.

The Honorary Chapter Degree is given to an individual/individuals who have made an impact on the FFA chapter. The 2025-2026 Honorary Chapter Degree was awarded to

Scott Seegmiller, a member of the alumni chapter, and continues working hard to provide many opportunities for the ALAH FFA members.

FFA Advisor Hannah Uphoff recognized a few members that had gone above and beyond her expectations for the year. Winning the 2025-2026 Most Active Awards Abigail Miller, Morgan Casteel, Adyson Hopkins, Anna Rawlins, Keely Simpson, Isabel Melton, Will Hilligoss, Tucker Casteel, Lillian Evans, Mace Stirrett and Kate Wiley as they accumulated the most points for participating in various events over the course of the school year.

ALAH FFA Alumni Association President Matt Bernius presented college scholarships to FFA members Savannah Butcher, Brooklyn Gingerich, Will Hilligoss, Summer Melton, Kamden Morfey, Abigail Miller, Jack Miller, and Anna Rawlins.

The Popcorn Award was awarded to Layla Beck and Ella Oye for their dedication and reliability to work the popcorn concession stand.

The last item on the agenda was to install the newly elected 2025-2026 FFA Officer team. The officers are as follows: Morgan Casteel, president; Mace Stirrett, vice-president; Brookelynn Peeler, secretary; Griffin Hilton, treasurer; Kate Wiley, reporter; Solomon Binion sentinel; Anden Berry, junior advisor; Beau Green, farm manager and Greyson Yoder, greenhouse manager.