Support is key for Tri-Point FFA

KEMPTON – It often takes a village to put on a successful event and that village showed up Wednesday evening during the 21st annual Tri-Point FFA Alumni auction and dinner.

The Kempton Legion Hall was full of FFA supporters for the silent and live auctions to help with scholarships.

“We donate scholarship money back to all the kids that come out of the Tri-Point FFA that apply for the scholarship,” explained Justin Moritz, Tri-Point FFA Alumni president.

There are different scholarship levels for kids going into ag or non-ag fields and bonuses are available based on grades. Some students can get up to $5,000-6,000 worth of scholarships in a two-year span after high school.

“We work to raise money through this event to try and fund those kinds of things,” Moritz added.

Tri-Point’s alumni group is one of the biggest for the amount of kids they have, in both the state and nation.

“That’s really been a fortunate thing that the community continues to support us the way they do.”

The alumni help students throughout the year by paying for meals at FFA events and helping to sponsor the blue jackets they wear.

Tri-Point FFA president Payton Richie hopes to get her state degree and is going to try for Star Farmer. Richie feels the year is going great for the chapter as FFA members have done plenty of good things in the community and within the school. She is thankful for all of the hard work from the alumni.

“It’s hard work. We have to get everyone to donate, show up and of course buy the stuff for us,” Richie said.

Chapter Advisor Diana Loschen received a Golden Owl, which is one of the top honors offered to an advisor. This is a very select honor.

“She pushes us to be the best we can be and is just an outstanding teacher all the way around,” added Richie.

Numerous donors and bidders made Wednesday’s event successful and the meal was sponsored by: Alliance Grain, Consolidated Grain and Barge, Hendrix Town & Country, Michael Kane and Ludlow Co-op.