The Owen-Withee FFA Chapter celebrated its 2026 FFA Banquet on Wednesday, April 29, in the Owen-Withee High School gym. The FFA officer team and FFA Alumni & Supporters put together this banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of individual members, competitive teams, retiring chapter officers, and newly elected officers.
This year, we had two graduating officers who gave keynote speeches: Carmen Frese, the 2025-2026 President, and Gavin Sowieja-Kayhart, the 2025-2026 Vice President. We are incredibly thankful to have had them on the officer team and to have shared so many fun experiences with them throughout the year. Although it is sad to see them go, we are excited to see what they accomplish in the future, whether within the FFA or beyond.
Sixty members received individual degrees of achievement, including a record number of Greenhand degrees that are awarded to active first-year high school members. Star Degree recipients include Cora Simenson, Braelynn Zarins, Brooke Frese, Riley Dieball, Preston Fritz, Jordan Wulff, and Zach Zarins.
Mrs. Naomi Engel spoke on behalf of the Owen-Withee FFA Alumni & Supporters. They are made up of parents, farmers, community leaders, business owners, and former FFA members who support the chapter through fundraising, advocacy, volunteering, coaching, and chaperoning. Mrs. Engel encouraged all adults to consider formally joining the FFA Alumni or stepping up to help at upcoming events.
The FFA officer team then surprised Mrs. Engel by inducting her as the 2026 Honorary Chapter Degree recipient, in part for her years of dedication and support to the Chapter.
State FFA Vice President Parker Smith shared his story of The Moments that Matter reminding the over 100 members and guests in the crowd to slow down and be in the here and now. Parker is a member of the Loyal FFA Chapter and a 2025-2026 State FFA Officer.
Individual and team awards were also presented to members who competed at various events, like World Dairy Expo, Public Speaking Contests, CVTC Ag Skills Challenge, and Career Development Events hosted at Mid-State Technical College, UW-River Falls, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
At the end of the banquet, the 2026-2027 FFA Officer Team was installed. The new team includes Preston Fritz, President; Brooke Frese, Vice President of Community Engagement; Riley Dieball, Vice President of Chapter Operations; Kabella Olson, Secretary; Leah Wojcik, Traditional Reporter; Maggie Ebert, Social Media Reporter; Sam Young, Treasurer; and Jordan Wulff, Sentinel. Congratulations to the new FFA Officer Team!
The FFA chapter would like to give a special thank you to all the supporters and families for their help in setting up the event, whether it was putting it all together or bringing snacks and treats for everyone who attended.
2026 FFA Exploratory Degree Recipient: Jacob Fischer
2026 FFA Discovery Degree Recipients: Jaden Castaneda-Valdez, Cody Genteman, Tyli Gerber, Brynleigh Krause. Mackinley Mueller, Taryn Mueller, Dale Nicpon, Cora Simenson, Shea Stolfi, James Trunkel, Braelynn Zarins
2026 FFA Greenhand Degree Recipients: Sebastian Baker, Emma Brossow, Eli Buss, Taciana Carson, Neveah Clark, Nick Dambeck, Riley Dieball, Dean Fredrick, Brooke Frese, Kyanna Gwiazda, Delanie Hatlestad, Kyan Hatlestad, Josie LaRock, Garret Lobacz, Clay Mueller, Reigan Oelke, Kabella Olson, Tinley Penney, Adelynn Petersen, Violet Poehler, Lindsey Potocnik, Lillian Rinka, Maddie Roberts, Easton Ruggles, Reegan Ruggles, Carter Shelton, Will Simenson, Anakah Soyk, Tegan Treankler, Teddy VanArk, Leah Wojcik, Sam Young
2026 Chapter Degree Recipients: Preston Fritz, Connor Hanson, Hunter Hilton, Evelyn Larson, Talon Mueller, Molly Nowobielski, Kierah O'Hara, Emmy Ruppert, Aron Sanchez-Bautista, Leah Simenson, Nick Stephens, Ashlynn Thornton, Karley Turgeson, AJ Wilczek, Jordan Wulff, Zach Zarins