Whitko FFA Auction Raises $7,000
Published: Friday, December 5, 2025
The Whitko Academy ag barn was transformed last Tuesday evening into a winter wonderland, complete with a grove of Christmas trees, an aisle of wreaths, tables of tasty treats and a crowd of community members gathered to support the FFA Chapter in their fourth annual Christmas Tree auction.
Bidders could win a ready-made Christmas tree, complete with themed decorations; a selection of festive wreaths and winter décor; and their choice of holiday treats including pumpkin and apple pies, sugar cookies and cinnamon rolls.
Over 60 lots sold in support of FFA member activities and competitions. The top three bids were $425 for an FFA quilt, $240 for the Christmas feed scoop centerpiece, and $170 for a wreath designed Monda Pherigo. In total, the auction brought in $5,350. That total was bumped up to over $7,000 with free will donations from the community. This is up from last year's auction, which raised $6,000.
"That was fun! We had a huge turnout and the community really pulled through," said Alysia Hammel, FFA advisor.
Whitko FFA President Lillie Sickafoose, along with the other officers, has been preparing for this event for the past two months, designing themed trees, wreaths and collecting donated items. Approximately half of the items were designed by either agriculture students or their teachers, Emily Murphy and Hammel.
"To see our community members who come out and support us is exciting," she said.
Marissa Rodgers, Whitko FFA vice president, said she enjoys connecting to community donors at fundraising events.
The two officers, along with the rest of their team, presented auction items to community members. Other officers include: Secretary Sophie Keener, Treasurer Carter Imhoff and Reporter Andrea Werstler.
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