NorthWood Honors Top Members
Published: Friday, April 25, 2025
Jonah Miller, Olivia Lentz, Ella Haseley and Georgia Haseley received some of the top awards at NorthWood FFA's annual spring awards banquet last Thursday in Nappanee.
Miller, who served as chapter president, was named the Outstanding Senior, while Lentz, who served as chapter advisor, received the Outstanding Junior award. The awards were based on points earned throughout the school year. Both Miller and Lentz will receive their Hoosier FFA Degrees at the state convention in June, as will Katilin Lamb.
Ella Haseley, chapter secretary, was named Outstanding Sophomore, and Georgia Haseley received the Outstanding Freshman award.
Another senior, Joey Mitschelen, was recognized for being a state Star Farmer semifinalist and a district proficiency winner. He also picked up a $500 scholarship. After graduation, he plans to attend Purdue University and major in agricultural education.
Other graduating members include: Addison Holmes, Evelynn Tune and Tucker Miller.
Four members were district proficiency winners this year. Mitschelen won in goat production entrepreneurship.
Other winners were: Jonah Miller, agricultural education—placement; Ella Haseley, diversified livestock production entrepreneurship; and Avery Hess, agricultural services—placement.
Chapter advisors Grace Allen and Brandi Henderson presented "special" awards to six FFA members. The selections were based solely on the judgment of the advisors. Those individuals included: Mitschelen, Premier Leadership; Kody Sprague, Workhorse Award; Gretchen Fervida, Third Advisor; Matthew Pfeiffer, Personal Growth; Daniel Stutsman, Golden Attitude; and Mattie Miller, Rising Sun.
A new award is "Holcomb's Honor," a recognition named in honor of Caleb Holcomb, a 2024 NorthWood High School graduate and FFA alumnus who died last fall. The award honors an FFA member who "always brings an optimistic attitude to any situation." This year's recipient is Tucker Miller.
In other awards, Micah Lechlitner received the Star Greenhand award, and school custodian Earl Goodsell received an honorary award for his helpful service to the FFA chapter.
This year, the NorthWood FFA chapter was named the District 2 Outstanding Program.
Also, the NorthWood livestock skill a thon team placed first in the area contest and 13th at state. The team included Ella Haseley, Fervida, Lamb and Mitschelen.
Fervida, who served as vice president this year, will move up to president next year. Ella Haseley will become vice president, and Lamb will serve as student advisor. Other officers are: Karlie Umbaugh, secretary; Lentz, treasurer; Presley Zehring, reporter; and Henry Pfeiffer, sentinel.
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