Laura Ringler in top 10 ag educators in Ohio
Apr. 5—PLYMOUTH — Each year the Ohio FFA recognizes 10 teachers in Ohio as Golden Owl Honorees. It receives hundreds of nominations each year, and while every teacher in Ohio is deserving, the selection committee has chosen Laura Ringler as one of the 10 honorees to be recognized as one of Ohio's finest ag educators.
This award is presented by the Ohio FFA Foundation, Nationwide, Ohio Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Mid-America and AgCredit, ACA. The intention of the award is to recognize teachers who have made a significant difference in the lives of students and in their community through their dedication to the profession.
The Plumouth FFA chapter will be receiving $500 to be used to help the chapter continue to help students grow into young leaders. After the honoree announcement is made, student Laura Hoak will submit a final application and will be interviewed to determine the Ohio Ag Educator of the Year. The chapter of the winning adviser will receive $3,000 as a grand prize, and the teacher will be awarded the Golden Owl trophy.
Learn more about the award and find Ohio's past Golden Owl Award winners and honorees at nationwide.com/golden-owl- award.
A letter written by Sarah Hoak:
This summer I went to an agricultural camp called Explore Ag. It was held at The Ohio State University and sponsored by the Ohio Farm Bureau. At this camp I met so many wonderful people and learned so much about agriculture. While making these new connections I also learned about an award for outstanding ag teachers; the Golden Owl Award. I got some information about the award and immediately contacted some of my school teachers and principal. I wrote to them in an email explaining the award and that we should nominate Mrs. Ringler when the time came. They wrote back saying that they were aware of the award and had nominated her before, but nothing came of it. With that in mind I was now extra determined to make sure Mrs.Ringer was recognized with the award. With the help of school staff and fellow FFA members we spread the word about nominating Mrs. Ringler. Everyone knew about the award now, and they were all on board.
When Mr. Morabito told me that Mrs. Ringler had been selected for the award I was ecstatic. All of the extra nominations must have really made a difference. I was so happy that we could show our appreciation for Mrs. Ringler through this award. We planned a surprise pep rally to present the award to Mrs. Ringer, but then it got canceled. So we planned another one, and it got canceled again. So for the third try it finally worked out.
When she walked in the gym the entire high school clapped and cheered for our outstanding ag teacher. I know Mrs. Ringler was not happy with me because she had so much attention on her at that moment, but it was well worth it. Representatives from the Ohio Farm Bureau, Ag Credit, Ohio FFA, Nationwide, and Farm Credit were all there to present the award.
They talked about the award, explaining that it was an award that recognizes agricultural educators for their tremendous contributions in preparing the next generation of leaders who will change the world and even spoke about some of the great things Mrs. Ringer has done. Many of the nominations mentioned Mrs. Ringler's tremendous amount of time spent teaching and mentoring students about agriculture as well as life.
I look up to Mrs. Ringler in so many ways and I know so many others do as well. As students we can only hope to grow up one day and be as caring, smart, funny,thoughtful, and devoted as Mrs. Ringler. The Golden Owl Award was well deserved by Mrs. Ringer and I am so thankful I could be a part of achieving that with her.
Sarah Hoak
