Group: Lake Land College recognized its agriculture division students at the 47th Annual Agricultural Banquet. Awards are given to the students who display excellence and scholastic achievement within the agriculture programs. Pictured are award recipients from left to right: Brandon Knowles, Marshall, High GPA in Ag Power; Riley Reynolds, Mount Zion, High GPA in John Deere Tech; Emma Repking, Effingham, Outstanding Student in Ag Business; Zackery Schumaker, Sweet Springs, W. Va, Outstanding Student in Ag Production; Maddie Caldwell, Elmwood, Overall Outstanding Student; Jackson Utsler, Mattoon, Outstanding Student in Ag Power; Kacie Haag, Emington, Outstanding Student in Ag Transfer; Brandon Brinkley, Chrisman, High GPA and Outstanding Student in Horticulture; Stacey Smithenry, Newton, High GPA in Ag Transfer; Jordan Stewart, Williamsfield, Outstanding Student in John Deere Tech. Not pictured: Alex Flach, Montrose, High GPA in Ag Business; Hunter Flach, Montrose, High GPA in Ag Production. Photo submitted by Lake Land College.
Lake Land College recently honored students in its agriculture programs at the 47th Annual Agriculture Banquet.
An excited crowd of friends, family, faculty and staff filled the Lake Land College Field House for the banquet, which honored outstanding agriculture students and alumni.
“The agriculture division could not be the nationally recognized program it is without the great support of everyone in this room. The college board of trustees, our administration team, supportive alumni, industry partners, or the 284 amazing students we have the privilege to interact with every day,” said Ryan Orrick, division chair agriculture/agriculture instructor, as he welcomed families and friends of agriculture students.
“I want to say, we, the Laker family, are thankful to have been a small part of their journey and look forward to their future success,” he said.
Throughout the evening, various groups were recognized for their outstanding efforts including: the Agriculture Transfer Club, the Agriculture Business Club, the Horticulture Club, student leaders in the agriculture division, the Livestock Judging Team and members of the Post-Secondary Agriculture Students group.
Carey Wilson, Melvin, Ill., received the 2018 Honored Alumnus Award. Wilson graduated from the John Deere Tech program in 1995 and continued to be a strong supporter of Lake Land by employing multiple students each year. Wilson served on the John Deere advisory council for eight years and provided valuable insight into the success of the program.
“On my very first day of class, my instructor Ken Drollinger told me that I was going to be a professionally trained John Deere technician after this and that I should be treated as such. For a young man who thought all he would ever be was a mechanic, it made me feel special, like I could do anything,” Wilson said during his speech.
Other students recognized at the banquet were as follows:
The Outstanding Agriculture Division Student Award for 2017-2018
Maddison Taylor Caldwell, Elmwood, Illinois
Recognized for Agriculture Business and Supply were:
Alex Flach, Montrose, High GPA
Emma Repking, Effingham, Outstanding Student
Recognized for Agriculture Production and Management were:
Hunter Flach, Montrose, High GPA
Zackery Schumaker, Sweet Springs, West Virginia, Outstanding Student
Recognized for Agriculture Power Technology were:
Brandon Knowles, Marshall, High GPA
Jackson Utsler, Mattoon, Outstanding Student
Recognized for the John Deere Tech program were:
Riley Reynolds, Mount Zion, High GPA
Jordan Stewart, Williamsfield, Outstanding Student
Recognized for the Horticulture program were:
Brandon Brinkley, Chrisman, High GPA and Outstanding Student
Recognized in the Agriculture Transfer program were:
Stacey Smithenry, Newton, High GPA
Kacie Haag, Emington, Outstanding Student
