The Arcanum MVCTC FFA held its annual banquet on Sunday March 29, 2026. The banquet celebrated the accomplishments that the FFA members accumulated over the past year.
To begin the ceremony Ben Hartman, Sentinel, introduced and thanked all of the guests of the Arcanum MVCTC FFA. Included in the list of guests were teachers, staff members, board members, and administration from Arcanum and MVCTC. Members were recognized for their participation in various chapter activities and new levels of degree membership attained.
The Officer team presented the CDE plaques for the 2025-20265 School Year. The first CDE of the school years was Soil Judging with the Ag team consisting of Logan Brinksneader, RyLee Judy, Isabella Shearer, Austin Subler, Moxon Gilpin, Yucker Hatfield and Austin Subler. The Urban Soils team included Charlie Weiss (State Qualifier), Cheyenne Swisher, Callum Chadwick, Logan Besecker, Tripp Rimmer and Noah Combs.
The Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems Team members were Charlie Wiess, Logan Besecker, Bohdan Menzie, Hudson Knaus, Tucker Hatfield, Callum Chadwick, Matthew Denlinger, Keegan Aultman, Ben Hartman, Austin Subler, Isaac Wiant, Creed Denlinger, Moxon Gilpin and Zion North. Charlie, Logan, Bohdan and Hudson qualified for the Ohio FFA State Finals and placed 3rd in the State.
The Food Science Contest allowed members to complete product development, taste testing and food safety. Members taking the Food Science online test were Kamryn Beisner, Gabby Nottingham, Cheyenne Swisher, Josie Schwartz, Gabrielle Wooten, Danikca Michael, Ashlynn Tegtmeyer, and Kennedy Freeman.
The Officer Team highlighted the CDE’s that are life skills for everyone. The Job Interview Contest requires members to complete a resume and then complete an in person mock interview. The Job Interview participants were Danicka Michael. The public speakers for Arcanum were Isabella Shearer in Creed Speaking and Cheyenne Swisher in Advanced Prepared.
The Ag Biotechnology Contest participants were Charlie Wiess, Cheyenne Swisher, Danikca Michael, Ben Hartman, Kamryn Beisner, Lance Brinksneader, Bohdan Menzie, Dane Byers, Donnie Hathaway, RyLee Judy, Sara Netzley, and Katie Bradford. The team qualified for the state finals and finished 16th in the State
The 2026 Grain Merchandising Team members were Charlie Weiss, Lance Brinksneader, Logan Brinksneader, Ben Hartman, Donnie Hathaway, Danicka Michael, Cheyenne Swisher, RyLee Judy, Bohdan Menzie, Dane Byers, Austin Subler and Keegan Aultman. The Grain Merchandising Team qualified for the State Finals. Lance, Charlie, Logan and Ben traveled to Wilmington College to test their grain marketing skills in the finals where they finished 1st in the state.
The Farm Business Management Team placed 12th in the Ohio FFA. Team members were Lance Brinksneader, Donnie Hathaway, Logan Brinksneader, Kmaryn Beisner, Ben Hartman, Cheyenne Swisher, Sara Netzely, Dane Byers Cameron Ball, Cody Werling, Bohdan Menzie, Austin Subler and Keegan Aultman.
Even though the Spring Judging Contests didn’t always feel like Spring weather, members were excited to evaluate livestock animals. Members of the General Livestock Team were Lance Brinksneader, Logan Brinksneader, Charlie Weiss, Harper Smith, RyLee Judy, MJ Denlinger, Isaac Wiant, Cooper Shilt, Creed Denlinger, Haddie Gilpin and Dane Byers. The Equine Judging Team Members were Tripp Rimmer, Tucker Hatfield, Zion North, Ben Hartman, Katie Bradford, Ashlynn Tegtemeyer, and Isabella Shearer. The Dairy Judging Team Members were Charlie Weiss, Henry Weiss, Robby Denniston, Lance Brinksneader, Bohdan Menzie, Donnie Hathaway, Logan Brinksneader, Danikca Michael, Gabby Nottingham, Kennedy Freeman, Creed Denlinger, and Bishop Cartwright. The Dairy team finished 3rd in the State Prelims and will compete in the State Finals
The second half of the school year offered multiple members the opportunity to compete in agriculture mechanics contests. The first was the Ag Power and Industrial Diagnostics contest with team members Hudson Knaus, Logan Besecker, Zion North and Moxon Gilpin troubleshooting farm equipment. The Ag Mechanics Skills contests test members on various activities including welding, soldering and tool id. Team members were Callum Chadwick, Logan Besecker, and Hudson Knause. The Ag Mechanics team placed 3rd in the district. Finally, the Outdoor Power Contest involved everything small engine related. Members competing were Callum Chadwick, Logan Besecker, and Creed Denlinger
The Chapter recognized members for earning membership degrees within the organization. After the Greenhand and Chapter Degree recipients were recognized the officer team handed out plaques to this year’s 2 State FFA Degree Recipients: Danicka Michael and Bohdan Menzie.
Special Awards were also given to members that excelled throughout the past year. Top fruit sales persons awards were presented to Cheyenne Swisher – 3rd, Keegan Aultman – 2nd, Danicka Michael – 1st. Top strawberry sales persons were presented to Bishop Cartwright – 3rd, Isaac Wiant – 2nd, and Cheyenne Swisher – 1st.
Mr. Brian Pohlman then addressed the crowd and gave an appreciation to the Arcanum – Butler Local School and Miami Valley CTC Administration and Boards of Education. The Chapter Advisor then presented the top awards for the evening. FFA Members are tasked with taking on various roles within the organization and leading in numerous events and activities. Members recognized with the Leadership Award were Callum Chadwick, Hudson Knaus, Moxon Gilpin, Kamryn Beinser and Logan Besecker. The top members in each grade were presented with the Outstanding Member Awards. Chapter Advisor Mr. Brian Pohlman talked about each member’s involvement and then presented him or her with a plaque commemorating his or her hard work. They were: Freshman-Logan Brinksneader, Sophomore-Zion North, Junior-Danicka Michael, and Senior-Cheyenne Swisher. Star Awards recognize member’s accomplishments. The Star Greenhand awards winners were RyLee Judy, Austin Subler and Keegan Aultman. The Star Chapter Farmer award, is given to the member that has excelled in a SAE that is related directly to the Farm, this year’s recipient was Lance Brinksneader. The Star Chapter Ag Placement award is given to the member that works in a placement Ag area, this year’s recipient was Ben Hartman. The Star in Agri-Business award is given to the member that has successfully run their own business, this year’s recipient is Bohdan Menzie. The Ag Accomplishment Award is awarded to the member that has excelled in Ag and FFA. This year’s Ag Accomplishment Award winner was Charlie Weiss.
Senior chapter Officers were recognized for their year of service. The officers were Student Advisor – Robby Denniston, Treasurer- Kamryn Beisner, Secretary – Cheyenne Swisher Vice-President- Charlie Weiss, and President – Lance Brinksneader.
During the banquet the chapter was honored to have the Overholser Family present the Ben Overholser Memorial Scholarship to graduating senior Lance Brinksneader
The final award of the night was the Honorary Chapter Degrees. This honor is bestowed on members of the school or community for their contributions to the success of the chapter. This year’s Honorary Chapter Degree was presented to Miss Kaitlyn Zell.
The ceremony was concluded with the Inductions of the 2026-2027 Arcanum MVCTC Officer Team. President Danicka Michael, Vice-President Ben Hartman, Secretary Bohdan Menzie, Treasurer Isaac Wiant, Reporter Katie Bradford, Sentinel Logan Brinksneader, Student Advisor Logan Besecker, Historian Eden Gilbert. The Arcanum MVCTC FFA would like to thank everyone for their support of the chapter.
Featured photo: The new installed 25-26 Arcanum MVCTC FFA Officer Team is (L to R) Sentinel Logan Brinksneader, Secretary Bohdan Menzie, Historian Eden Gilbert, Reporter Katie Bradford, President Danicka Michael, Vice-President Ben Hartman, Treasurer Isaac Wiant, and Student Advisor Logan Besecker.
