On the evening of Dec. 20, the annual Greenhand ceremony was held for all new Loudonville FFA members in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.

The evening included official opening ceremonies from the officer team and Greenhand, Adam Carroll reciting the FFA Creed. Ohio FFA Vice-President At-Large Shayden Heiser, a short speech about his time as a Greenhand and accidently leaving the barn water turned on for hours.

The Greenhand is the first degree earned by the students in Loudonville FFA. First they must be enrolled in an agricultural class, have plans for and SAE program, have learned the FFA Creed, Colors, Motto, Salute, Emblem, Code of Ethics, Official Dress, Officers and the History of the FFA. Upon meeting the requirements each studentis then eligible for her or his Greenhand Degree.

With family and friends in attendance, the Greenhands were inducted by the FFA officer team and all inductees proudly received their bronze pin and certificates of accomplishment.

The 29 new Greenhands are: eighth-graders: Adam Carroll, Skylar Davis, Chloe Dickson, Austin Felix, Isabella Grassman, Helaina Gray, Elly Hensel, Bailey Henry, Carson Hustack, Gavin Hustack, Evan Kiester, Caleb Koch, Kaden Luyster, Quinn Morris, Jakub Poole, Wiett Porter, Treyton Sanchez, Jaiden Stitzlein, Elliott Strouse, Ashton Tackett, Owen Thompson, Kamron Velasques and Blane Young. Freshmen: Hannah Endslow, Coalton Poole, Steven Ringler, Drew Robinson, Nicholas Robinson and Emery Wagner.

The ceremony was followed with a cookie reception.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: 29 Greenhands join Loudonville FFA