On April 3, the FFA hosted a banquet to end the year. This was the first time FFA has had a banquet since 2018, however, they plan on continuing it in the future. Banquets weren’t held from 2019-2021 due to COVID-19 and other complications.

“We thought the best thing was to get the members involved in the planning process so they would be more bought in to the process. Planning for banquets in the past involved heavy student involvement. This allows us to tap into the natural leadership ability of our members,” said FFA Adviser Kyle Woolston.

The officer team put the banquet together, with help from other FFA members. The 2021-2022 officer team consisted of junior Serenity Sweet as President, junior Kenzie Gilliatt as Vice President, sophomore Carley Higgins as Secretary, junior Aliza Allen as Treasurer, sophomore Taisha Robbins as Reporter, junior Tucker Hooten as Sentinel, sophomore Jadlyn Lee as Student Advisor and sophomore Abby Tapp as Historian. The only Senior Adviser was Johnathon Garcia.

The week before the banquet, officer applications were sent out. Members of FFA could fill out an application for a variety of positions for the 2022-2023 year. During the banquet, new officers were announced by Woolston. The new members are Higgins as President, Tapp as Vice President, freshman Keeley Scott as Secretary, Lee as Treasurer, freshman Chloe Smith as Reporter, Robbins as Sentinel, freshman Haylie Gilliatt as Student Advisor and freshman Billy Bob Apple as Historian. There is also a senior committee made up of seniors Allen, Kenzie Gilliatt, Braydon Hayes, Hooten, Taylor Lashley and Sweet.

“I am very excited about this group of young leaders and what they are capable of accomplishing,” said FFA Adviser Cory Scott.

With new officers in place, they will start planning events immediately. The first event on their schedule is the annual Paoli FFA Jackpot Swine Show. This year it will be on May 28, in the Orange County Fairgrounds. More information about the show will be released later.