By RONDA WERTMAN
Tribune Correspondent

KEYSER, W.Va, — Blue jackets and bright futures is more then just a theme for the Mineral County Future Farmers of America (FFA), it’s a way of living as students work every day to ensure bright futures for themselves and their country.
Welcoming family, friends and supporters of the FFA to the annual banquet at Keyser High School, FFA President Megan Webb thanked each one for their efforts on behalf of the members and the chapter.
Kicking off their night to shine, the officers held opening ceremonies under the leadership of State FFA Officer Ian Newlin.
Megan Webb was named this year’s Outstanding Graduate in Memory of Matthew Rexrode.
FFA Advisor Carol Webb  presented Alyssa Harvey, Ian Heare and Cody Kesecker with the Junior Bowers Memorial Award.
“These three individuals have worked the past four years in FFA. Their actions speak louder than words,” she said.
Remembering late Vocational Center Director Terry Cannon, Advisor Dana Young recalled his dedication to the technical school and its students.
Cannon’s daughter, Angel, was on hand to present the annual the award in his memory to recipients Khrystian Rosier and Elva Whetzel.
“It’s a pleasure to work with every single student here,” said Webb as she recognized her outstanding students, including: Ag Science I, Ryan Turner; Aquaculture I and II, Tiana Warner; Animal Vet Science I Small Animals Kaitlyn Taylor and Lauren Streets; Animal Vet Science Large Animals, Bri Teets; Animal Science and Production III, Alyssa Harvey and Megan Webb and Equine Science, Brittany Whisner.
Also recognized were outstanding students in Forestry I, Elva Whetzel; Forestry II, Ian Heare; Wildlife Management Alyssa Harvey and Noel Jones; and Horticulture/Greenhouse, Ian Heare and Kristi Beatty.
“It is time to honor a great group of students,” said Young as he recognized his outstanding students in Agriculture Mechanics: Small Engines, Kyle Kesner; and Oxy Acetylene Dusty Aldridge.
“Being an agriculture teacher is not a job, it’s a lifestyle,” said Frankfort High School FFA Advisor John Ritchie. “It’s such an honor to work with these young people,” he added as he recognized Cory Patterson, Matt Umstot and Kaitlyn Taylor for their efforts.
As the senior FFA members took the stage each of the instructors praised their efforts.
For Young, this graduating class is extra special because they came to the technical center the same year he did.
New to the Mineral County FFA this year, Ashby Ruddle told the parents of the seniors, “Every one of them I respect.”
Ian Newlin brought greetings from the State FFA, telling members, “I take pride in being a West Virginia State FFA Officer.”
He urged members to risk boldly taking the unbeaten path, to seize the day, taking every opportunity to seek improvement and to support each other honestly with constructive criticism.
The Star Greenhand award recognizes a first-year member who excels in his agriculture experiences, in the classroom and in the FFA. Describing recipient Ryan Turner, Webb said he is “dedicated, enthusiastic, talented and puts his heart and soul into the FFA.”
This year’s Star Chapter Farmer is Megan Jones, who has been active with the Ham, Bacon and Egg Show and Sale, lambs, goats and as a FFA Officer.
Competing in career development events, FFA members earned a combined score placing them third in the state in the total scoring for the sweepstakes.
“You’ve got a bunch of winners up here. They have raised the bar,” said Young.
Recognized teams included:
Agriculture Mechanics (first place team): Chris Riley, first place; Elva Whetzel, second place; Cody Kesecker, third place; and Matt Umstot (fifth place). Whetzel placed 33rd in the nation and was the only female to get gold.
Dairy Production (16th place team): Sarah WakeFoose, Megan Courtney, Kaitlyn Taylor and Hunter McGregor;
Poultry (fifth place team): Kristen Mackert, Sarah Miller, Brittany Hanlin (second place) and Lauren Borho;
Plant Pathology (sixth place team): Russell Stark, Kristi Beatty (second place) and Amanda Michael;
Nursery Landscape (third place team): Ian Heare (sixth place); Ariel Kirk, Khrystian Rosier, and Eric Walker;
Agronomy (12th place team) Miranda Paugh, Ryan Turner, Jesse Bane and James Kirk;
Meats (third place team) Alyssa Harvey (third place); Megan Webb (10th place), Megan Jones and Brent Ebert;
Livestock: Shyloe Harvey, Renae Spiker, Cassandra Rohrbaugh and Megan Jones;
Equine (first place in state, 17th in nation) Megan Webb (first place); Khrystian Rosier (fifth place); Kirsten Mackert (seventh place); Alyssa Harvey (fourth in the nation in Performance Horse Judging); Megan Jones.
Mineral County’s other teams also shined across the state.
Competing against over 120 teams at the West Virginia Beef Expo, Mineral County had winners in the Junior Stockman event and the Beef Cook-off. Megan Webb was named the West Virginia Beef Queen and Beef Ambassador.
Members of the second place team included: Megan Webb (second place); Brent Ebert (sixth place); Megan Jones, Alyssa Harvey, Khrystian Rosier, Kristi Beatty, Ryan Turner, Cassandra Rohrbaugh, Kaitlyn Taylor, Abigail Hutzell and Miranda Paugh. T-shirts for the team were sponsored by Liller Paving and Excavating.
The Cook-off Team of Khrystian Rosier, Kristi Beatty and Brent Ebert placed first.
Mineral County placed third in the Envirothon which tests students’ knowledge of soils, forestry, agriculture and wildlife.
Team members were Alyssa Harvey, Khrystian Rosier, Blake Mongold, Jordan Sheldon and Elva Whetzel.
Dusty Aldridge was recognized for Land Judging.
Freshman Ryan Turner excelled in the Creed Contest earning first place in the Northeast Region earning him the right to compete at the state contest.
The top students in each grade were honored for their academic performance including: Sarah Miller, Lauren Borho, Miranda Paugh and Eric Walker.
One of the FFA’s biggest fundraisers is the annual holiday citrus fruit sale. The top 10 sellers were recognized including Brent Ebert, Megan Webb, Derrick Spencer, Elva Whetzel, Corey Alt, Shane Dolly, Matt Umstot, Ariel Kirk, Russell Start and Ryan Turner.