Article Written and Submitted by: Hunter Lackey, Racine Southern FFA Historian
The 2025-2026 Racine Southern FFA Chapter officer team Wyatt Smith President, Tyson Hupp Vice President, Marcy Evans Secretary, Will Smith Treasurer, Hunter Lackey Reporter, Skyler Allen Historian, Hunter Jarrell Sentinel held the 95th annual Racine Southern FFA banquet on May 6th in the Southern high school to celebrate the accomplishments, leadership, and hard work shown throughout the year. Students, parents, teachers, and community supporters came together for an evening filled with awards, memories, and appreciation for everyone who helped make the year successful.
The banquet began with an opening ceremony led by chapter officers. Members reflected on the many activities and events the chapter participated in this year, including competitions, community service, leadership conferences, and agricultural education opportunities.
Throughout the evening, several students were recognized for their achievements and dedication to the chapter. Awards were presented for leadership, participation, academics, and career development events. Seniors were also honored for their commitment and contributions during their time in FFA.
One of the highlights of the banquet was looking back on the friendships and experiences built throughout the year. Members shared laughs, memories, and stories from competitions, trips, and chapter activities that brought everyone closer together.
The banquet also served as a chance to thank parents, sponsors, school staff, and community members for their continued support of the chapter and agricultural education programs. Their encouragement and involvement help provide opportunities for students to grow as leaders and individuals.
Thank you to our sponsors: Aaron and Shirley Sayre, Alex Hawley (Southern Local Board of Education), Anglea Jones, Ashli Peterman (Southern Local Board of Education), Athens/Meigs Farm Bureau, Brenda Johnson (Southern Board of Education), Bryan Harris (Southern Local Board of Education), Charlie and Elizabeth Wolfe, Chelsey Pullins, Christi Hendrix, CT and Tammy Chapman, Dale Hart, Darrell Norris Greenhouse, Dawn And Jeremy Lyons, Hannah Thompson, In Memory Of Tim Ihle, Jennifer Dunn, Jenn Shortridge and Fred Nero, Jenny Ridenour, Jeremy and Christie Smith, Jeremy Rose, Roses Excavating and Trucking, Jimmy Jones, Joann and Scott Pfeiffer, Joey Jarrell, John and Jessica Saunders, Jon and Jamie Smith, Kelcy and Steven Lackey, Kenny & Rhonda Meeks, Lester Manuel and Family, Matt and Misty Evans, Maxine Rose, Meigs County Extension, Meigs County Soil and Water Conservation District, Mr. Daniel Otto, Mr. Russ Fields, Mr. Tony Deem, Mrs. Tricia McNickle, Ohio FFA Staff, Ohio FFA State Officer Team, Ohio River Producers, Old and New Sports, Racine Gun Club, Racine Hardware Store, Racine Village, Rhonda Rathburn, Scott Hill and Family, Scott Wolf (Southern Local Board of Education), Shade River Ag, Shain Custom Signs, Shannon Miller, Southern Bus Garage, Southern High School Staff, Southern Local Cooks, Tara & Joe Roberts, The Local Butcher, Tim and Elizabeth Thoren, Tony and Rachel Hupp, Zach Manuel and family
District Rural Soil Judging CDE Team: Bethany Roberts, Hunter Lackey, Joslyn Hupp, Marcy Evans, Tyson Hupp
District Urban Soil Judging CDE Team: Austin Gaskill, Bryer Holley, Colton Jones, Garrett Beasley, Kaydon Bowling, Tanner Harmon, Tanner Robson
District Job Interview CDE: Freshmen: Garrett Beasley, Sophomore: Tyson Hupp, Senior: Hunter Jarrell
State Online Greenhand Exam CDE: Jessica Snoke, Adalynn Garner, Kylie Rizer, Jaydah Fogus, Audrionna Smith, Layla Nibert, Bentley Neal, Jovi Wolfe, Colten Grubb, Remington Neutzling, Weston Smith, John Turley, Avery Peterman, Gavyn Shockey, Christian Stobart, Breelyn Sayre, Cadence Jefferies, Libby Will, David Rose, Lincoln Full, Leah Yost, Carlee Young, Logan Smith, Justyn Hupp, Hailey Young, Jacobo Hernandez, Austin Gaskill, Connor Lemley, Easton Phillips, Michael Cook, Gabe Davis, Savannah Roush, Kardesion Amos, Jeremiah Laudermilt, Ethan Herald, Oliver Bender, Landon Jones, Noah Apperson
District Ag Mechanics CDE Team: Bryer Holley, Hunter Lackey, Tyson Hupp, Colton Jones--Alternative, Austin Gaskill--Alternative. Big thanks to their Coach--Tony Carnahan.
Invitational Veterinary Science CDE: Emma Owens and Skyler Allen. Big thanks to their Coach--Caelin Seth
State Livestock Judging CDE Team: Austin Gaskill, Skyler Allen, Marcy Evans, Tyson Hupp, Hunter Lackey, McKenzie Sellers Bethany Roberts--District
The students with the highest FFA activity points per 9 weeks: 1st nine weeks: Marcy Evans, 17 points, 2nd nine weeks: Tyson Hupp, 59 pts, 3rd nine weeks: Tyson Hupp, 90 pts, 4th nine weeks: Tyson Hupp, 48 pts. Overall FFA points was Tyson Hupp with 204 pts, 2nd place overall FFA points was Will Smith with 88 points and 3rd overall FFA points was Marcy Evans with 81 points.
Top Fruit Seller: Tyson Hupp
Top Strawberry Seller: Tyson Hupp
Top T-Shirt Seller: Tanner Robson
Top gun raffle ticket seller: Isabella Johnson
Meigs County Junior Fairboard FFA Representatives: Tyson Hupp, Hunter Lackey, Garrett Beasley, Isabella Johnson
FFA Alumni Members (Ohio River Producers): Ed Gibbs (lifetime), James Languel (Langwell) (lifetime), Jim Diddle (lifetime), Joe Proffitt (lifetime), Peggy Gibbs (lifetime), Jenna Meeks (lifetime), Rhonda Meeks (lifetime), Austin Rose, Caelin Seth, Christie Smith, CT Chapman, Don Smith, Dylan Lyons, Joe Roberts, Kristin McKay, Marilyn Cooper, Maxine Rose, Rachel Hupp, Ryan Chapman, Tammy Chapman, Tara Roberts, Tony Hupp, Melody Bailey, Natasha Beasley, Tony Carnahan, Misty Evans, Nathanial Nero, Jessica Saunder, Heather Smith
FFA Discovery Degree: Adalynn Garner, Angela Jordan, Audrionna Smith, Avery Peterman, Bentley Neal, Breelyn Sayre, Caleb Delong, Colten Grubb, David Rose, Gavyn Shockey, Jacobo Hernandez, Jaydah Fogus, Jaydyn Harmon, Jeremiah Laudermilt, Jessica Snoke, Jillian Profit, John Turley, Keith Harter, Leah Yost, Logan Smith, Nina Blackhurst, Noah Apperson, Scarlett Ramirez, Sophie Spires, Taylor Lewis, Weston Smith
Star Discovery: Adalyn Garner
FFA Greenhand Degree: Alex Owsley, Austin Gaskill, Bethany Roberts, David Lee, Kaydon Bowling, Libby Will, Lincoln Full, Marcy Evans, Paytonlee Holley, Tanner Harmon, Waylon Smith, Will Rutter.
Star Greenhand: Marcy Evans
FFA Chapter Degree: Bryer Holley, Isabella Johnson, Jaylyn Fogus, Emma Owens, Tanner Robson, Tyson Hupp, Parker Exline, Hunter Lackey, McKenzie Sellers, Joslyn Hupp, Colton Jones.
Star Chapter: Tyson Hupp
State FFA Degree: Hunter Jarrell
Travis Adams Achievement Award: Hunter Jarrell
Outstanding FFA Senior: Wyatt Smith
Scholastic (Top GPA): 9th Grade: Garrett Beasley, 10th Grade: Tyson Hupp, 11th Grade:Owen McCabe, 12th Grade: Hunter Jarrell
10 or more hours of community service and recorded on their AET records during 2025: Skyler Allen, Tyson Hupp, Emma Owens, Hunter Jarrell, Justin Lawson
Outstanding Entrepreneurship SAE: Marcy Evans
Outstanding Placement SAE: Hunter Jarrell
2025 Agribusiness Certification: Landon Everson, Christopher Dylan Haye, Nathanial Nero, Corey Seth, Michiah Smith, Austin Stover, Hannah Turley, Colin Wemmer. Best of luck to those testing in 2026 for their certifications.
State FFA Officer Books: Marcy Evans- Gold Rated Secretary, Will Smith- Gold Rated Treasurer, Hunter Lackey and Skyler Allen- Gold Rated Reporter, Wyatt Smith and Tyson Hupp-Silver Rated National Chapter Application.
Honorary FFA Member: Tony Carnahan
During our time at the banquet we retired all seniors leaving the program and enrolled the new officer team. The retiring officers where- President- Wyatt Smith, Treasure- Will Smith, Historian- Skyler Allen, Sentinel- Hunter Jarrel. We then installed the 2026-2027 Racine Southern FFA officer team: President- Tyson Hupp, Vice President- Marcy Evans, Treasurer- Austin Gaskill, Secretary- Isabella Johnson, Historian- Hunter Lackey, Reporter-Tanner Robson, Sentinel- Bryer Holley.
As the evening came to an end, members looked forward to another successful year ahead. The banquet was not only a celebration of accomplishments, but also a reminder of the values of leadership, teamwork, and service that FFA represents every day.
