Written by Kaden Bormann
The 79th annual FFA Banquet was held on Sunday, March 29th, in the Performing Arts Center. At this event, scholarships and degrees from throughout the year were handed out, new officers were installed, volunteers were recognized, a meal was eaten, and a silent auction was held.
Greenhand Degree recipients for the 2025-2026 school year include Olivia Adams, Danna Mata Barbosa, Jackson Beaver, Blayten Bierle, Reece Bormann, Mila Bradford, Emma Brunsvold, Andrea Cortez, Maggie Divis, Reid Fett, Gage Fiddler, Aiden Helmers, Vlada Khomenko, Cobretti Korte, Alex Kron, Ava Laubenthal, Zachariah Manson, Emelia Owen, Josie Reynolds, Sophia Riedel, Ethan Schulz, Grant Schutjer, Coyer Spear, Jacob Streucker, Avery Thomas, Myla Toombs, Lacie Vaske, Caleb Venteicher, and Haylen Wellman.
Josie Reynolds and Maggie Divis received the Star Greenhands Award. To achieve this, members must be active in the chapter, demonstrate leadership, and have a strong SAE program. 
Chapter Degree recipients include Logan Alt, Braxton Bierle, Emmett Bormann, Kaden Bormann, John Ludwig, Grace Luitjens, Dylan Riggert, Grady Ruger, Runier Trujillo, and Brody Shipler.
Recipients for the Iowa Degree include Levi Allen, Cassidy Bierstedt, and Grant Kramer. To achieve this award, members must have invested $1500 or worked 375 unpaid hours outside of class time in an SAE program, demonstrate leadership skills, and be in at least five activities above the chapter level. These students will receive their actual degrees at the State Convention this year.
North Central District FFA members, Drew Vorhes, Jackson Walker, Gavin Freiberg, Gracey Smith, and Julia Mortwedt, were in attendance at the FFA banquet and were recognized. Jagger Ferrie, the North Central State Vice-President, gave some words of advice to all in attendance about the importance of FFA.
Other awards throughout the night included academic awards, chapter appreciation gifts, outstanding volunteer recognition, and underclassmen and senior scholarships. Through the Algona FFA Alumni, Smithfield, and the Algona Community School Foundation, more than $24,000 in scholarships was awarded to Algona FFA members.
The banquet portion ended with the installation of new FFA officers. New chapter officers include Josie Reynolds - Sentinel, Charli Dodds - Reporter, Wyatt Kelly - Treasurer, Grace Luitjens - Secretary, Cassidy Bierstedt - Vice President, and Malea Divis - President. Wyatt Kelly states, “I’m excited to be the treasurer.”
After the award ceremony, there was a meal catered by Kampens and the Kossuth County Cattlemen and a live auction to raise funds for scholarships next year.