The seven top county FFA members were encouraged to approach life as an oyster, making the best of any situation.
"When things bother you, when things get under your skin, fix them from within," Ken Etchieson, Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center manager, told the recipients of the 56th annual Richards Drug FFA Award, which honors one member of each FFA chapter in Pottawatomie County.
Etchieson read a poem describing why the oyster decided to turn an annoying grain of sand into a valuable pearl.
"Dedicate and apply yourself to work for your future," he said.
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Fred Gouker, left, and Gordon Richards Jr., right, on behalf of Richards Drug, present the 56th annual Richards Drug FFA Award to, from left, Bryan Akins of Dale, Justin Ray of Wanette, Kody Gibson of Macomb and Andy Townsend of Tecumseh.
Ed Blochowiak/SNS
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The Richards Drug Award was initiated by longtime Shawnee ag teacher Otto Krausse and pharmacist Gordon Richards Sr.
"Pattern yourself after a great," Etchieson said, referring to Richards, who was extensively active in the community and a leading force behind construction of the Expo Center. "You have been selected to be that oyster that someday will produce a pearl."
Gordon Richards Jr. praised the students on the discipline and hard work required to succeed in FFA.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be associated with people of your caliber," Richards said. "Your projects get right at the bedrock of true American values."
Winners of this year's Richards Drug FFA Award were:
Bethel FFA Chapter President Dustie Butner is the daughter of Kenney and Suzanne Collins. She has received numerous awards in public speaking, including second place in the State Oklahoma Farmers Union speech contest.
She has attended the state and national FFA conventions, FFA Alumni Camp, District Colt Conference and the Washington Leadership Conference.
Butner's supervised agriculture projects include leadership, public speaking, beef, swine, equine science placement and specialty animal production.
An honor roll student, Butner serves as National Honor Society treasurer, PROWL/SADD secretary and yearbook editor. Her community activities include Operation Christmas, Salvation Army Angel Tree, American Cancer Society relay for life and the International Finals Youth Rodeo.
She plans to double major in agriculture communications and public relations at Oklahoma State University.
Dale FFA Chapter President Bryan Akins is the son of Bud and Connie Akins. He has been the chapter's Star Greenhand, Star Chapter Farmer and 1999-2000 chapter sentinel, and was a candidate for state FFA reporter.
His projects include raising and showing swine and public speaking. He has shown animals at the Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Show, Central District Livestock Show and the Tulsa and Oklahoma City State Fairs.
Akins plans to attend OSU and major in agricultural education and political science.
Macomb FFA Chapter President Kody Gibson, son of Pat and Melissa Cope, carried on a family tradition. His brother, sister and two uncles have received the Richards Drug FFA Award.
"I am very proud and honored to carry on my family tradition by receiving this award," Gibson said. "Without the help of my grandparents and parents I would not be where I am today."
Matthew Lempges, McLoud FFA chapter president, is the son of Donald and Kelly Lempges. The senior has applied for the State FFA Degree and has been nominated for Central District Star Farmer.
His projects include beef production, sheep and hay production, and he does custom hay hauling. He is a member of the FFA crops judging team, which placed third and state runner-up. He plans to attend Eastern State College on a judging team scholarship and major in agriculture.
Shawnee FFA Chapter President Cody Deatherage has been active in judging contests in horticulture and works in the classroom, greenhouse and ag mechanics welding shop. The senior also studies diesel mechanics at Gordon Cooper Technology Center and has been accepted to UTI Technical School in Chicago, Ill.
Andy Townsend, Tecumseh FFA chapter president, is the son of Damon and Leesa Townsend. His projects include showing beef, swine and sheep.
He has attended the national FFA convention, state convention, FFA Alumni Camp, COLT Conference and recently attended the National Western Stock Show in Denver.
Townsend has been chapter reporter and parliamentarian, as well as Star Eighth-Grader. He is on the meat judging interscholastic team and participated in the eighth-grade speech contest and local creed contest. The senior plans to major in agricultural education at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
Wanette FFA Chapter Vice President Justin Ray followed in his father's footsteps to receive the Richards award. Joe Ray was bestowed the award 31 years ago.
Justin Ray has shown cattle for five years, winning numerous grand champion, reserve grand and reserve breed awards. He owns nine cows and nine calves and raised 45 laying hens and sold eggs. He has been on the FFA livestock judging team for three years, and plays high school baseball and basketball.
The Asher FFA award recipient, Tom Gregg, was not present at Monday night's banquet.
Turning the tables, Tecumseh FFA adviser Danny Sterling and McLoud FFA adviser Steve Pritchard, on behalf of all county ag teachers, awarded Gordon Richards Jr. and Fred Gouker of Richards Drug with tokens of appreciation.
