Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

February 24, 2010, Page 4

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Neillsville Alumni Attend state convention

FFA Alumni member Rec. Roehl (right) of Neillsville accepts a Wisconsin Association Alumni Outstanding Affiliate certificate from FFA Alumni State President Aken Harter during the 2010 Wisconsin Association Alumni Convention held in Manitowoc Feb. 12 ? 14. (Contributed photo)

Rex Roehl, Pat Acheson and Herman Seebandt of the Neillsville FFA Alumni Affiliate attended the 2010 Wisconsin Association Alumni Convention held in Manitowoc Friday, Feb. 12, through Sunday, Feb. 14.

Over 250 FFA Alumni members, state FFA officers, FFA advisors and guests participated. Sections 8 and 9 hosted the convention themed ?Great Success. Again in 2010,? and Amy Zemicke of the Bonduel FFA Alumni chaired the convention.

The event kicked off Friday evening with a fish fry dinner, followed by a live auction provided by Les VanEpren and Tony Briggs.  The evening concluded with live entertainment by The New Generation Band of Pulaski.

Saturday?s events included business and sectional meetings.  A luncheon meeting was followed with awards presented to outstanding affiliate, scrapbook winners, outstanding achievement, outstanding contributor; affiliate member increase, Eagle Award, Dr. Virgil Martinson Award and Ann Martinson Memorial Award.

Paul Vidmar, Dale Carnegie Trainer of the Year in 2005 and in 2009, was the keynote speaker during the luncheon and talked about how to adjust to change.

In the afternoon, workshops were held including Paul Vidmar of Dale Carnegie, ?Adjust to Change;? Jennifer Brinker of focus on Energy, ?Energy Conservation on the Farm and at home;? Diane Amera from national FFA Alumni Association ?Ten Habits to a Great FFA Alumni;? and the Wisconsin state FFA officers held a children?s session.

A banquet buffet dinner was served Saturday evening.  Mike Austin Emceed the final program, where Ken Harter of Oconto Falls, 2010 Wisconsin FFA Alumni president, gave his retiring address.  President-elect Seebandt of Neillsville was introduced, as his term begins.  Many sponsors and guests were introduced as well.

The program followed with a live basket auction clerked by Burt Huntington. The evening finished with live entertainment by the KNX Party Band of Black Creek and Clintonville.

Neillsville received several awards at the convention.  Roehl received a plaque for placing silver in the outstanding achievement category.  Roehl has been the FFA Alumni treasurer for 25 years and has supported the FFA and Alumni in too many ways to mention.

Roehl also accepted the certificate for outstanding affiliate; in that category, Neillsville placed bronze.

In the scrapbook contest, Acheson accepted the silver certificate; she is one of the historians of the chapter.