MURRAY, Ky. — The Hutson School of Agriculture at Murray State University recently honored high school students from the Purchase, Pennyrile and Green River regions as Murray State FFA All-Region Stars based on the students’ demonstrated leadership in Future Farmers of America (FFA).
The banquet was held on Murray State’s campus Dec. 3 in honor of the recipients. Several University officials were in attendance, including Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Don Robertson and others. They joined more than 200 guests.
FFA advisors at individual high schools could nominate two students for this recognition — one as an automatic award recipient and the other as an at-large nomination (not all at-large nominees were selected for the award). FFA regional officers from Purchase, Pennyrile and select Green River Region counties were also selected for FFA All-Region Stars awards.
The honored FFA students attend a number of high schools in the region, including Ballard Memorial, Calloway County, Carlisle County, Fulton County, Graves County, Hickman County, Livingston Central, Marshall County, McCracken County and Trigg County in the Purchase region; Caldwell County, Christian County, Crittenden County, Hopkins County Central, Hopkinsville, Lyon County, Muhlenberg County and Todd County Central in the Pennyrile region; and Henderson County, McLean County, Union County and Webster County in the Green River region. Students from counties in the Green River region outside Murray State’s 18-county service area and border counties were not eligible.
Students recognized during the award ceremony include the following:
Purchase Region
Ryan Rehkemper, Ballard Memorial High School
Jace Kelso, Calloway County High School
EmmaLee Roach, Calloway County High School
Anna Wilkins, Calloway County High School
Jackson Bruer, Carlisle County High School
Daven McGee, Carlisle County High School
Retiazsha Chambers, Fulton County High School
Mikiyah Mitchell, Fulton County High School
Madison Brown, Graves County High School
Clayton Story, Graves County High School
Jake Whitford, Graves County High School
Dawson Naranjo, Hickman County High School
Lexi Jones, Livingston Central High School
Emma Rittenberry, Livingston Central High School
Evan Bremmerkamp, Marshall County High School
Conner Holmes, Marshall County High School
Madison Moryl, Marshall County High School
Chesney Flynn, McCracken County High School
Elly Travis, McCracken County High School
Karlie Wentworth, McCracken County High School
Tyler Freeman, Trigg County High School
Matthew Smith, Trigg County High School
Pennyrile Region
Noah Helphenstine, Caldwell County High School
Makaylah Alder, Christian County High School
Katherine Shelton, Christian County High School
Ellie McGowan, Crittenden County High School
Ella Farmer, Hopkins County Central High School
Avrey Hulse, Hopkins County Central High School
Chloe Jolly, Hopkins County Central High School
Allie Wagoner, Hopkins County Central High School
Savannah Barnes, Hopkinsville High School
Lanie Brumfield, Hopkinsville High School
Dallas Nichols, Lyon County High School
Sarah Peterson, Muhlenberg County High School
Margaret Gillum, Todd County Central High School
Sarah Glover, Todd County Central High School
Ellee Shemwell, Todd County Central High School
Jordan Weathers, Todd County Central High School
Green River Region
Hunter Book, Henderson County High School
Mackenzie Henshaw, Henderson County High School
Sydney Simpson, Henderson County High School
Kathryn Troutman, McLean County High School
Alyssa Tripp, Union County High School
Mallory White, Union County High School
Hallie Ellis, Webster County High School
Madelyn Hackney, Webster County High School
Shane Mooney, Webster County High School
The Hutson School of Agriculture created the awards program, which named its seventh crop of stars this year, as a way to acknowledge FFA students in Murray State’s service area for their accomplishments. FFA advisors are also recognized each year for their service to their students and the FFA organization.
“My FFA experience provided me a solid leadership background that has served me well throughout my career, and it is a pleasure to recognize outstanding young leaders pursuing the same experiences,” said Dr. Tony Brannon, dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture.
The guest speakers at the banquet were Dr. Sheila Wilson Phillips, DVM and Jonathan Reynolds. Phillips graduated from Murray State in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture. She continued on to Auburn University where she earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2015. Currently, Phillips serves as a mixed animal practice veterinarian at Trigg County Veterinary Clinic in Cadiz, Kentucky. In 2018, Phillips was named the Hutson School of Agriculture’s Outstanding Young Alumna.
Mr. Jonathan Reynolds graduated from Murray State in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Reynolds, a former Kentucky State FFA Association Officer, was named Outstanding Senior Man in Agriculture in spring 2019 by the Hutson School of Agriculture. Currently, Reynolds is the farm manager of Springhill Farms in Clinton, Kentucky.