Big Valley FFA
Big Valley FFA members, from left, Sean Gutshall, Leah Kanagy, Nyah Shirk, Elleanna Halfpenny and Abbie Fitzgerald at the Big Valley FFA Banquet on May 8, at the Reedsville Fire Hall.

REEDSVILLE — Long before families found their seats, the Reedsville Fire Hall buzzed with the unmistakable energy of a chapter that knows it had a standout year. Big Valley FFA didn’t just gather to hand out plaques. It gathered to celebrate a year defined by service, leadership and students pushing themselves further than ever.

A crowd of 174 parents, families and supporters filled the hall May 8, where the newly-formed Big Valley FFA Alumni and Supporters served a meal anchored by pork, donated by Rick Keiser of Keiser’s Custom Butcher Shop in McClure. The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology’s Culinary Arts program rounded out the menu with a full spread of sides, turning the banquet into a community-powered celebration.

The evening opened with recognition for every member, a reminder that the chapter’s success comes from collective effort. But several students earned top honors for going above and beyond in their projects, leadership and commitment to agricultural education.

Torri Maclay was named Star Greenhand, an award reserved for first-year members who show exceptional promise. Miley Kohler earned the Star Chapter Award for her involvement and leadership and Sean Gutshall received the Star Keystone Award, highlighting his dedication to both the chapter and his Supervised Agricultural Experience.

The chapter also honored two community members with the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree, the highest recognition a local chapter can give to a nonmember. This year’s recipients, Gordon McKee and Rebecca Seaholtz, were celebrated for their support of agricultural education and the students who depend on it.

Individual awards highlighted the depth of talent within the chapter. Chloe Fisher received the Recordkeeping Award for her detailed documentation of her breeding rabbit project. Taylor Rhoades earned the Community Service Award after logging the most volunteer hours this year. Academic excellence was also front and center, with Abbie Fitzgerald, Lily Goss and Aubrey Smith receiving the Highest GPA Award for their work in the Agricultural Sciences program.

Special awards rounded out the night. Nyah Shirk was named Rising Star, Sebastian Kauffman earned the Mentorship Award, Lillian Seaholtz received the Advocacy Award, Abbie Fitzgerald was honored with the Dedication Award, and Lily Breon received the Leadership Award.

Graduated member Kelsey Morrison was recognized by 202526 State FFA Reporter Sam Parkes for earning the American FFA Degree, the highest honor an FFA member can achieve.

The chapter’s year was as impressive as the students themselves: 276 hours of community service, 61 chapter events, two overnight trips, three state conventions and conferences, 1,102 miles traveled and more than 6,000 hours spent on Supervised Agricultural Experiences.

The banquet closed with the announcement of the 2026-27 officers, selected through an application and interview process. Rising senior Abbie Fitzgerald will lead the chapter as president. Joining her are rising juniors Nyah Shirk as vice president and Torri Maclay as treasurer, along with rising senior Lillian Seaholtz as secretary.

“The Big Valley FFA banquet is important because it shows all the hard work, dedication, and passion the students have for the Agricultural Sciences program and the Big Valley FFA,” Lillian Seaholtz explained. “It’s a night that symbolizes just how much of a family we are and how proud we are of each and every one of our members. As the secretary for the second time, I’m looking forward to building with my new team and seeing all the amazing things we will accomplish together. I’m also excited to see all the new opportunities that come our way. I would like to thank each and every one of our sponsors, members, school administrators, teachers, and alumni that made our banquet possible. Without them, the amazing night on May 8 would not have been possible.”

For Big Valley FFA, the banquet wasn’t just a look back. It was a confident step into a new year of leadership, service and the kind of handson learning that continues to shape the next generation of agricultural leaders.