Banquet honors Cissna Park FFA

CISSNA PARK – A large percentage of those attending Cissna Park Senior High School feel strongly about agriculture. In fact, about two-thirds of the students are involved in the FFA.

Over 200 people attended Friday’s Cissna Park FFA banquet, which included the presentation of degrees for younger members as well as 17 state degrees.

“That’s pretty impressive for a small school like us to have 17 state degrees when some schools only get two or three every year,” said Cissna Park ag teacher and FFA advisor Jeff Clifton. “It’s our chance to really appreciate the kids and let them get their annual awards and kind of show everything off tonight.”

According to Clifton, the night served as a retirement ceremony for the seniors who are preparing to graduate this spring. The group also highlighted some of the contests which took place throughout the year. The Cissna Park FFA has seen plenty of success in soils judging, dairy products and parliamentary procedure.

FFA vice president Olivia Powell enjoys the banquet each year and making new memories.

“It’s really a good time – it’s very memorable for us,” Powell said.

The FFA members created a giant FFA banner made of streamers which took two hours to make with six students. Setup for the banquet started Thursday during school, which involved laying tarp and setting up tables.

“We make a lot of jokes and when we start to get tired, we really get to know each other,” Powell added.

FFA historian Laura Kaeb agrees that the annual banquet is a good way for the chapter to show its appreciation to supporters.