Decorah FFA Presents Awards at Annual Program March 24
Submitted by: Jerikah Dodd, Decorah FFA Reporter
The 88th annual Decorah FFA Awards Program was held at the Decorah High School Auditorium on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 7 pm. About 250 guests were in attendance, including parents, family members, community sponsors, business leaders, and members. The Conduct of Meetings Team consisting of President Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Vice-President Bentley Smith, Secretary Brock Anfinson, Treasurer Brooks Dodd, Reporter Brooks Courtney, Sentinel Natalie Holthaus, and Advisor Jordyn Roberg officially opened the awards program.
Chapter President Kamryn Werges welcomed everyone in attendance. The 2024-2025 officer team then presented Greenhand FFA Degrees and Chapter FFA degrees to the recipients. This year’s eighteen Greenhand FFA Degree recipients include Brock Anfinson, Allison Bigler, Dylan Brincks, Brooks Courtney, Brooks Dodd, Colton Elsbernd, Ethan Hill, Natalie Holthaus, Izabella Kos, Ella Mann, Zander McConnell, Brandi Nehls, Kayden Osborne, Landyn Quandahl, Jordyn Roberg, Daric Sheffield, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, and Bentley Smith.
The Decorah FFA awarded twenty-one Chapter FFA Degrees to members. This year’s recipients include Hadley Alexander, Andrew Carolan, Kale Christopher, Michael Clement, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Dominick Duffield, William Hahn, Noah Heiselman, Aiden Helgerson, Braden Hemesath, Tristan Hunter, Jackson Irwin, William Kruse, Mara Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Karter Orris, Ryan Rocksvold, Isabella Schnitzler, John Toby Schnitzler, and Peyton Schultz.
Eden Scheidel then awarded the leadership awards to members who successfully served as leaders within our chapter as an officer and/or a committee chairperson. Members receiving leadership pins for completing their first year of service include Hadley Alexander, Rylee Averhoff, Karlee Bullerman, Andrew Carolan, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Karlie Einck, Logan Frye, Lauren Holthaus, Mara Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Annika Schmelzer, and Jordan Sims.
Members recognized for more than two years of leadership service to the chapter include Kiele Eberling, Lyla Lovstuen, Eden Scheidel, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges, and Thea Zidlicky.
Thea Zidlicky and Karlie Einck introduced the members who had perfect meeting attendance this past year. These members include Allison Bigler, Brooks Dodd, Colton Elsbernd, Izabella Kos, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Andrew Carolan, Mara Lovstuen, Jerikah Dodd, Karlie Einck, Nick Farley, Lauren Holthaus, Lyla Lovstuen, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, and Kamryn Werges.
Madelynn Dahl and Brinlee Courtney presented scholarship pins and certificates to all of the Decorah FFA members who made the honor roll this past year. Members receiving this honor and a pin include Allison Bigler, Dylan Brincks, Brooks Dodd, Colton Elsbernd, Logan Frye, Jacob Hageman, Aiden Helgerson, Natalie Holthaus, Izabella Kos, Blaine Leidahl, Mara Lovstuen, Landyn Quandahl, Jordyn Roberg, Isabella Schnitzler, Daric Sheffield, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, and Bentley Smith.
Members receiving a scholarship certificate for being on the honor roll multiple years include Hadley Alexander, Rylee Averhoff, Ryan Bigler, Henry Brynsaas, Karlee Bullerman, Andrew Carolan, Kale Christopher, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Kiele Eberling, Nick Farley, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Lauren Holthaus, Tristan Hunter, Jackson Irwin, William Kruse, Lyla Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Karter Orris, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Peyton Schultz, Jordan Sims, and Jake Teslow.
Rylee Averhoff presented the Academic Achievement Awards. The senior academic awards are awarded from the Iowa FFA Association and are presented to the seniors who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, have been an active member for at least 3 years, and have an active SAE. Recipients who received a certificate and a medal include Austin Helgerson & Jordan Sims.
Gabe Monroe presented the top 10 fruit sales awards after announcing the chapter had sold a total fruit sales amount of $59,416. Members receiving fruit sales awards include 1st – Jordan Sims, 2nd – Taylor Sloan-Dahl, 3rd – Karlie Einck, 4th – Karlee Bullerman, 5th – Rylee Averhoff, 6th – Brinlee Courtney, 7th – Peyton Schultz, 8th – Gabe Monroe, 9th – Allison Bigler, and 10th – Bentley Smith.
The Decorah FFA Letter was presented by Lauren Holthaus. In order to letter, members must be an active member in FFA. This year twenty-four members lettered in FFA. These members include Rylee Averhoff, Andrew Carolan, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Kiele Eberling, Karlie Einck, Logan Frye, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Blaine Leidahl, Rashell Lippe, Mara Lovstuen, Lyla Lovstuen, Ella Mann, Gabe Monroe, Hunter Quandahl, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Elora Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges, and Thea Zidlicky.
Each FFA member has a requirement to keep records on either a job placement, agribusiness ownership, or a livestock or crop project. Members then submit their record books for evaluation. Hadley Alexander announced the top record books for each class. They include senior Kiele Eberling, junior Eden Scheidel, sophomore Gabe Monroe, and freshman Allison Bigler.
Jerikah Dodd presented the Star Greenhand award to Natalie Holthaus. She also presented the Star Chapter Farmer award to Kamryn Werges, the Star Chapter Placement award to Lyla Lovstuen, and the Star Chapter Agribusiness to Eden Scheidel.
Lyla Lovstuen congratulated this year’s proficiency award winners. This year’s chapter proficiency winners include the following: Hadley Alexander (Ag Services), Thea Zidlicky (Beef Production Placement), Brinlee Courtney (Dairy Production Entrepreneurship), Ryan Bigler (Dairy Production Placement), Noah Heiselman (Diversified Ag Production), Kiele Eberling (Diversified Livestock Production), Rylee Averhoff (Goat Production), Andrew Carolan (Grain Production), Eden Scheidel (Poultry Production), Karlie Einck (Sheep Production), Kamryn Werges (Small Animal Production), and Jordan Sims (Swine Production Entrepreneurship).
Eden Scheidel, Brinlee Courtney, Lyla Lovstuen, and Gabe Monroe thanked the senior class for all their leadership over the years and congratulated them on all their accomplishments. This year’s 2025 Decorah FFA seniors who were recognized include Kiele Eberling,
Logan Frye, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Blaine Leidahl, Rashell Lippe, Ella Mann, Hunter Quandahl, Elora Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, and Kamryn Werges.
Annika Schmelzer presented the Star FFA Alumni and Supporters award to Mason & Jaden Falck and Keagen Einck. Kiele Eberling then recognized our 2025 Friends of Agriculture Award Recipient David Forde.
The 2024-2025 Chapter officers then presented the Honorary FFA Degree. The Honorary membership is for any farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of boards of education, chapter advisors, teachers, staff members in agricultural education, business people, and others who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA and who have rendered outstanding service. They may be elected to honorary membership by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting or convention. This year’s recipients were Nick and Allysen Lovstuen.
During the 2025 FFA Awards Program, attendees had the opportunity to hear from a special guest speaker, Creed Monroe, an alumnus of the Decorah FFA chapter and current Iowa FFA Northeast State Vice President. He shared an inspiring message about the impact of FFA and agricultural education, highlighting the leadership and career opportunities available to students. His speech encouraged members to stay involved and challenged others to take advantage of the many opportunities FFA has to offer.
Chapter Advisor Joni Bruvold thanked all the volunteers and individuals who have supported the chapter throughout the last year. Following Ms. Bruvold’s speech, the Decorah FFA Alumni and Supporters came to the stage to provide an update. There also was a live auction to raise money for Decorah FFA Senior Scholarships through the Decorah FFA Alumni and Supporters.
After watching the year in review video, the new officer installation took place before the banquet was adjourned. The 2024-2025 officers installed the following 2025-26 officers: President –Kamryn Werges to Gabe Monroe, Vice President – Eden Scheidel to Annika Schmelzer, Secretary – Karlie Einck to Karlie Einck, Treasurer – Gabe Monroe to Lauren Holthaus, Reporter – Brinlee Courtney to Jerikah Dodd, Sentinel – Derek Tieskoetter to Brinlee Courtney, and Assistant Officer – Lyla Lovstuen to Rylee Averhoff. The officer team performed the closing ceremonies and concluded the banquet with the Pledge of Allegiance.
2025 Decorah FFA Best Record Book Winners:
Allison Bigler, Gabe Monroe, Eden Scheidel, and Kiele Eberling received best record book awards.
2025 Decorah FFA Friends of FFA Award Recipient: David Forde
2025 Decorah FFA Honorary FFA Degree Recipients:
Nick and Allysen Lovstuen received the Honorary FFA Degree.
2025 Decorah FFA Letter Recipients:
Row 1: Madelynn Dahl, Lyla Lovstuen
Row 2: Kamryn Werges, Derek Tieskoetter, Thea Zidlicky, Annika Schmelzer, Jordan Sims
Row 3: Andrew Carolan, Karlie Einck, Austin Helgerson, Mara Lovstuen, Eden Scheidel
Row 4: Rylee Averhoff, Brinlee Courtney, Jerikah Dodd, Kiele Eberling, Logan Frye, Gabe Monroe
Absent: William Hahn, Blaine Leidahl, Rashell Lippe, Ella Mann, Hunter Quandahl, Elora Schnitzler
2025 FFA Academic Achievement Recipients: Austin Helgerson and Jordan Sims
Keagen Einck received the 2025 Decorah FFA Star FFA Alumni and Supporters Award. Also receiving this award but absent for the photo are Mason and Jaden Falck.
2025 Decorah FFA Star Award Recipients:
Natalie Holthaus, Kamryn Werges, Lyla Lovstuen, and Eden Scheidel received a 2025 Decorah FFA Star Award.
2024-2025 Decorah FFA Top 5 Fruit Sales:Row 1: 5th – Rylee Averhoff, 4th– Karlee Bullerman, 3rd – Karlie Einck, 2nd – Taylor Sloan-Dahl, and 1st – Jordan Sims.
2024-2025 Decorah FFA Proficiency Award Winners
Row 1: Rylee Averhoff, Hadley Alexander, Karlie Einck, Kiele Eberling, Andrew Carolan, Jordan Sims
Row 2: Brinlee Courtney, Kamryn Werges, Thea Zidlicky, Eden Scheidel, Noah Heiselman, Ryan Bigler
Decorah FFA members receiving the Chapter FFA Degree
Row 1: Hadley Alexander, Madelynn Dahl, Andrew Carolan, Peyton Schultz
Row 2: Michael Clement, Aiden Helgerson, Mara Lovstuen, Isabella Schnitzler
Row 3: Brinlee Courtney, Jackson Irwin, Braden Hemesath, Noah Heiselman
Row 4: Tristan Hunter, Gabe Monroe, John Toby Schnitzler, Dominick Duffield
Absent: Kale Christopher, William Hahn, William Kruse, Karter Orris, Ryan Rocksvold
Decorah FFA members receiving the Greenhand FFA Degree
Row 1: Brandi Nehls, Izabella Kos, Natalie Holthaus, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Jordyn Roberg
Row 2: Brock Anfinson, Bentley Smith, Colton Elsbernd, Brooks Dodd, Dylan Brincks
Row 3: Allison Bigler, Zander McConnell, Brooks Courtney, Landyn Quandahl
Absent: Ethan Hill, Ella Mann, Kayden Osborne, Daric Sheffield
