Two dozen Penn Manor High School students, along with three sets of parents, won several awards recently at the Pennsylvania Farm Show representing Manor FFA.
Keystone Degrees
Ten students – Emily Aukamp, Tanner Bauman, Kenny Barley, Jonathon Eshbach, Hannah Gerberich, Clara Hess, Damian Kreider, Isaiah Smith, Abby Reiff and Elizabeth Broderick – earned Keystone Degrees.
The Keystone is the fourth of five degrees FFA members can earn. Only 357 members out of 12,771 in the state received the degree.
To earn a Keystone Degree, FFA members must hold the Greenhand and Chapter FFA Degrees; perform at least 25 hours of community service; earn or invest $1,000 or work 300 hours outside of school in their SAE program; participate in 15 FFA Activities, five of them above the chapter level; and demonstrate leadership and advocacy of agriculture and FFA.
Jacket recipients
Five students – Jordan Arms, Rebecca Barley, Jolene Fields, Theodore Ney and Renee Eshbach – earned a blue jacket, the iconic symbol of FFA membership.
The first-year member jacket campaign is sponsored by the Pennsylvania FFA Alumni, which provides the jackets and a scarf or tie free of charge. To qualify, students must write about what the jacket means to them and what they plan to achieve while wearing it.
Honorary Chapter Degrees
Three Penn Manor couples received Honorary Chapter Degrees for raising three or more children who have earned Keystone Degrees.
The recipients were David and Starla Hess (Clara in 2018, Katie in 2016, and Caleb, 2014); Warren and Kim Reiff (Abby in 2018, Katrina in 2013, and Brandon, 2012); and Jay and Bonnie Bauman (Tanner in 2018, Tyler in 2014, and Jessica, 2012).
Poultry Team Recognition
The Manor FFA poultry team was recognized for its silver medal performance at the National FFA Convention. The team includes Marshall Ebersole, Kylie Kreider, Madeleine Denlinger, Colin Smith, and Lauren Sensenich (alternate).
Junior Market Swine Placement
Abigail Reiff placed fifth in her class, Lauren Sensenich earned a third in her class, and Colin Smith was reserve champion Hampshire. All made a sale.
Lamb Placement
Berklee Perry placed second in her class and was the Reserve Champion Suffolk. She made a sale.
Keystone Star interviews
Kenny Barley and Damian Kreider both interviewed for the State Star Keystone award after being selected Eastern Region stars. Damian interviewed in the agribusiness category for his tomato production and sales business; Kenneth interviewed in the agricultural placement category for his work experience at Walnut Hollow Farms.
Agriscience Fair
Arilyn Oatman exhibited her Agriscience Fair research project entitled “Raw Food Diets in Animal Nutrition” in the state Agriscience Fair. She earned a second in the Senior Animal Systems Division.
Tractor Restoration Project
Jonathon Eshbach, Kenny Barley and Mike Brumbaugh gave a 15-minute presentation on the Farmall 200 tractor they restored with help from other Manor FFA members. Lancaster Farming awarded the chapter $800 for completing the restoration.