OPENING CEREMONY - Harley

TAP GAVEL 1 TIME - to seat officers.

TAP GAVEL 2 TIMES – to begin ceremony.

The banquet will come to order. We are now holding the Cedar Bluff FFA
Banquet.

Madame Vice President, are all officers at their station?

Thank you, Madame Vice President. TAP GAVEL 1 TIME – to seat officers!

The Secretary will call the roll of members.

Thank you………….FFA Members, why are we here? TAP GAVEL 3 TIMES!!

“to practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities and

develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should possess.”

TAP GAVEL 1 TIME – to seat everyone.

May we accomplish our purposes. I now declare this, the Cedar Bluff School FFA
Banquet, duly open for the transaction of business or attention to any matters
which may properly be presented.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the Cedar Bluff School FFA
Banquet. I would like to thank each of you for coming tonight to help us celebrate
another great year of accomplishments for our FFA chapter.
At this time, I would like to recognize some of our special guests for the evening.
Please hold your applause until all guests have been recognized. As I call your
name, would you please stand and be acknowledged:

Mr. Mark Chandler, President, Cedar Bluff FFA Alumni

Mr. David Pruett, Secretary, Cedar Bluff FFA Alumni
Mr. Brett Keasler, Career Tech Director, Cherokee County Schools
Mr. Torey McDaniel, Principal, Cedar Bluff School
Mr. Jonathan McWhorter, Assistant Principal, Cedar Bluff School
 Ms. Cindy Turner, Owner, Cedar Bluff Piggly Wiggly
Mr. Nathan Ealy, School Board Member, Cherokee County Schools
Mr. Michael Welsh, Superintendent, Cherokee County Schools

(LEAD APPLAUSE)

Tonight represents the culmination of a year of hard work. We will recognize

Career Development Event Teams, award Discovery, Greenhand and Chapter
Degrees and lastly say goodbye to our Seniors and graduating chapter officers.
We sincerely hope that everyone enjoys this evening. After we return thanks, we
ask that you allow the FFA officers to proceed through the line first so that they
may prepare for the awards ceremony.
At this time I would like to turn the floor over to Mr. John Michael Murphy, the
2023-2024 Chapter Sentinel for the Invocation.

Thank you John Michael Murphy. You may now proceed to the dinner line.

______Break For Dinner _____

**Officers, would you please take your places to begin ceremonies.**

DEGREE CEREMONY

SECRETARY: Mister President, I have the applications for ____ students who
are candidates for the Discovery, Greenhand, or Chapter FFA Degree.

PRESIDENT: Our constitution outlines minimum qualifications for this degree.

We shall now determine if these candidates qualify. Advisors, do all candidates
have satisfactory plans for programs of supervised agricultural experience?
ADVISOR: They have.

PRESIDENT: Have these candidates met all other minimum qualifications of

Article 6, Section C, of the national constitution?

ADVISOR: They have.

PRESIDENT: The secretary will please read the names of the successful
candidates.

SECRETARY: When I call your name, please come forward: Audience please
hold your applause until all names have been called.

NAMES

PRESIDENT: Candidates, you are about to receive an FFA Degree in a national

organization of members who expect to enter a career in the industry of
agriculture. Will you strive to further develop your abilities through active
participation in the FFA? If so, answer ‘We will’.

CANDIDATES: We Will

PRESIDENT: The basic beliefs of FFA members are outlined in the FFA Creed.
I hope that you will always carry the spirit of the Creed in your hearts and the
words in your memory.

VICE PRESIDENT: Planning and completing a task brings a certain satisfaction

that is the reward of the industrious individual. Our forefathers worked hard to
transform America from a wilderness to a great nation. Your attainment of this
degree demonstrated your willingness to work. You have done well and have
taken a major step toward fulfilling your goals in the FFA.

TREASURER: Those who succeed best in life, regardless of occupation, know

the means whereby the great problems are solved. Ignorance leads to neglect,
waste, want and poverty, while wisdom leads to industry, productivity, and
happiness. You have studied and learned in order to earn this degree. Every
worthwhile recognition carries with it additional responsibilities. Your increased
leadership ability should be reflected by your further involvement in the activities
of our chapter.
REPORTER: The FFA organization practices agricultural leadership, citizenship,
and cooperation. If you develop your abilities, you may become a leader in this
organization. We need you, and the country needs strong leadership. We now
welcome you as Discovery, Greenhands, and Chapter degree holders.

**** CLAP

REPORTER: The State FFA Degree is given only to the top members of the
Alabama FFA Association. Cedar Bluff has 3 students who will receive the gold
pin and their State FFA Degree in June at the Alabama FFA Convention. When
your name is called, please come forward to be recognized.

Steven Akes Caitlin Helmey Harley Miller

SENTINEL: We commend you for obtaining the highest honor that can be
bestowed upon a member of the Alabama FFA Association.
****CLAP

_____________________________________________________
REPORTER: Career Development Events are planned and conducted at the
local, district, and state levels to motivate students to learn more about the industry
of agriculture, including its many careers. Cedar Bluff FFA has experienced much
success in Career Development & Leadership Development Events over the past
year. FFA members, as I call your name please come forward to be recognized
and to receive your award.

● For Small Engines: Steven Akes, Brayden Cantrell, Jacob Chambers, Isaac
Roberts, and Tristan Rochester. This team placed 1st in North District
Competition and will advance to state competition in June. Special
recognition goes to Steven for being high individual in the district event 2
years in a row. Great job guys.

● For Safe Tractor Driving: Warren Wallace. After placing 1st at the Cherokee
County contest, Warren went on to place 1st at the North District
Competition and will advance to state competition in June. Congratulations!

VICE PRESIDENT:
● For Extemporaneous Speaking: Kiersten Teague. Kiersten placed 1st at the
county competition and 3rd at North District Eliminations.

● In Prepared Public Speaking: Braedyn Kinsey. Braedyn placed 1st at the

county competition and 3rd at North District Eliminations. Congratulations to
you both!

SECRETARY:
● For Poultry Evaluation: Jaycee Ellison, Caitlin Helmey, Harley Miller,
Audrey Ray. This team was 1st place at North District Eliminations with
Harley Miller and Caitlin Helmey having the top 2 individual scores. This
team will represent the North District this June in the State Competition. We
would also like to recognize Kiersten Gray & Marley Horton for their role
on the 2023 state team last June.

● For Meats Evaluation: Angie Akes, Will Maxwell, John Michael Murphy,
and Asa Wheeler. This team placed first at the North District Eliminations
and will be advancing to state in June. Special recognition goes to Will
Maxwell for being high individual for the 2nd year in a row. Good luck at
state!
TREASURER:
● In Quiz Bowl: Tyson Cannon, Jackson Davis, Colten Sanford, Aiden Shaw.
This team competed at the North District Eliminations in April.

● For Employability Skills: Za’Niya Kyle. After placing in the top two in
district, Za’Niya represented Cedar Bluff at the state event last June.

● For Agricultural Education: Marley Horton. Marley was selected as 1 of 2

individuals in the district advancing to state and will represent our chapter in
June. Congratulations to all!

President: Cedar Bluff FFA had a student compete in the Alabama FFA
Agriscience Fair. This student's project is in the Food Products & Processing
Systems Division, and she has advanced to the state finals. Congratulations to
Payton Tracy.

This year we had 4 members of the FFA show team. These students spent hundreds
of hours caring for their projects through a strict feeding schedule, regular exercise
and training, and traveling all over the state to compete at youth swine shows.
They experienced much success this winter and we would like to recognized them
at this time. We ask Ms. Cindy Turner, owner of the Cedar Bluff Piggly Wiggly
join us in presenting awards.

Kamran Bowman Caitlin Helmey

John Michael Murphy Audrey Ray

HILL: At this time, we would like to recognize all senior FFA members who
have earned the opportunity to wear a cord at graduation. Many of these students
have been FFA members for all 4 of their high school years. Seniors, your
involvement in FFA and the positive example you have set for our younger
members will leave a lasting impression on our chapter for years to come. Please
come forward as I call your name:

Jaycee Ellison Caitlin Helmey Za’Niya Kyle Kaitlyn Powell

Steven Akes Kiersten Gray

 2023-2024 FFA Officers

Harley will return to the podium and read the newly elected
officers name.

Harley: Earlier this week candidates went through an interview process

to select the 2023-2024 Cedar Bluff FFA Officer Team. Officer
candidates were chosen based on their knowledge of leadership,
agriculture, and the FFA. Six candidates were chosen this year. I will
now introduce your 2023-2024 Cedar Bluff FFA officer team.

HILL: Though your time as an FFA officer and member is coming to an end, the
memories and friends you’ve made along the way will last a lifetime. It has been a
pleasure watching you grow into leaders who will positively impact your
community and the agriculture industry.
Although you don’t always want to listen to my advice, maybe you’ll listen
to Dr. Seuss: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You
can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know
what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” We wish you
the best of luck in the future.

NEW PRESIDENT: At this time, I would like to ask Harley Miller to return
to the stage.
John Maxwell says that a leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
As our President this past year, you have been an example of a leader that we all
can look up to. We thank you for representing Cedar Bluff as our President. As a
token of our appreciation, we would like to present you with your retiring
President’s gavel.

(LEAD APPLAUSE)

CLOSING CEREMONY
PRESIDENT: Mister Secretary, do you have a record of any further business
which should now be transacted?
SECRETARY: I have none Mr. President

PRESIDENT: Does any member know of any new or unfinished business which
should properly come before this meeting?
We are about to adjourn this meeting of the Cedar Bluff FFA Chapter. As we
mingle with others, let us be diligent in labor, just in our dealings, courteous to
everyone, and above all, honest and fair in the game of life.
Fellow members and guests, join me in a salute to our flag.

TAP GAVEL 3 TIMES!! REPORTER leads the pledge!

I now declare this meeting of the Cedar Bluff School FFA adjourned

TAP GAVEL 1 TIME!!!