(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic FFA Banquet was held March 30th at the Atlantic High School. According to Atlantic FFA reporter Maddy Anderson, there were 195 members and guests were present at the event. The banquet started with the opening ceremonies, led by the 2024-2025 chapter officers. This year the officers include President Lola Comes, Vice President Lily Johnson, Secretary Lauren Comes, Treasurer Hayden Kleen, Reporter Maddy Anderson, Sentinel Frank Freund, and Student Advisor Joaquin Wailes.

2024-25 Chapter President Lola Comes said “The FFA banquet is a reflection of each members’ hard work, incentives, and dedication to the agriculture industry. [Members] spent the evening sharing [their] accomplishments and great food with parents, alumni, and current FFA members.” The opening ceremony was followed by a welcome to members and guests, and was given by President Lola Comes. Following that, dinner was held for members and guests. Wiota Steakhouse provided the pulled pork and the sides for the FFA members and guests. The Alumni chapter held a silent auction that raised over $1,300 for future scholarships.

Following presentations by guest speakers, awards were given out. First were those recognized for earning 10,000 FFA points throughout their time as a member. These points are earned through getting involved with our chapter. The more activities and events a member participates in, the more points they earn. Those recognized for reaching 10,000 points included Mia Kloewer, Lola Comes and McKenna Sonntag. The next award was the Academic Achievement Award. The award is given to those who have been a part of the Atlantic FFA chapter for three years, and have maintained a 3.5 GPA or above throughout all those years. Those who received the Academic Achievement Award included Carter Witzman, Lola Comes, Joci Zarbaono, McKenna Sonntag, Mia Kloewer.

10,000 point club

Honorary Chapter Farmer: Claire, Drew, Kim and Lola Comes.

Star Placement: Joaquin Wales

Star Farmer: Lola Comes

Star Greenhand Award: Walter Freund

After the Academic Achievement Award came the Star Greenhand, Star Ag Placement and Star of Ag Production Awards. The Star Greenhand is awarded to a freshman who the chapter officers feel was the most involved with the chapter in the past year. The award was given to Walter Freund. The next award, Star Ag Placement, is an award given to a member that has done an exceptional job in their employment, whether that be in or out of agriculture. The award was presented to Joaquin Wailes. Finally, the star Ag Production was awarded to Lola Comes for her dedication to Agriculture, the FFA and work on Comes Farms.

This year also, new officers for the 2025-2026 term elected two members to receive the Atlantic FFA Leadership Award, which is given in appreciation to those who have shown leadership through their years in FFA. The two members who received the award were Mia Kloewer and McKenna Sonntag. The officers elected the Drew & Kim Comes Family to receive the Honorary Chapter Farmer award. That award is given to people who have played a large role in helping the Atlantic FFA chapter and the activities they do.

16 FFA members were given the Discovery Degree. The Discovery Degree is awarded to members who are finishing their 8th grade year of schooling, and have been involved in FFA for one year. Those that have been involved for one year of high school Ag, received the Greenhand Degree, which was given to 20 members. Next came 17 members who were Chapter FFA degrees, which are given to members who have been involved in FFA for 2 years since being in high school, or members who have been in FFA for three years including their 8th grade year.

The banquet concluded with the installation of new chapter officers. For the upcoming 2025-2026 year, the new officers include the following: Lauren Comes as President, Frank Freund as Vice President, Lily Johnson as Secretary, Hayden Kleen as Treasurer, Maddy Anderson as Reporter, Keston Schmitt as Sentinel, and Claire Schroder as Student Advisor.