Murray State University’s Hutson School of Agriculture recognizes area FFA students for outstanding accomplishments
By Shawn Touney | Mar 23, 2021
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).
Since COVID-19 prevented the annual Stars banquet from being held, Dr. Tony Brannon, dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture, and Dr. Brian Parr, assistant dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture, traveled to area high schools to personally present the award to each Star.
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, Murray, and Trigg County in the Purchase region; Caldwell County, Christian County, Crittenden County, Hopkins County Central, Hopkinsville, Madisonville North Hopkins, Muhlenberg County, and Todd County Central in the Pennyrile region; and Henderson County, Union County, and Webster County in the Green River region. Students from counties in the Green River region outside of Murray State’s 18-county service area and border counties were not eligible.
Students recognized during the award ceremony include the following:
Purchase Region
Byron Hack, Ballard Memorial High School
Tinslee Williams, Ballard Memorial High School
Kaylee Geurin, Calloway County High School
Hunter Rudolph, Calloway County High School
Jordan Reddick, Carlisle County High School
Mallory Wilson, Carlisle County High School
Kole Wilson, Carlisle County High School
Blake Edwards, Fulton County High School
Charles Hayden Murphy, Fulton County High School
Sarah Lyell, Graves County High School
James “Jayce” Payne, Graves County High School
Micah Smith, Graves County High School
Elijah Armbruster, Hickman County High School
Karlie Smith, Hickman County High School
Trey Debes, Livingston Central High School
Robert Schmitt, Livingston Central High School
Kendyl Drennan, Marshall County High School
Savannah Fulgham, Marshall County High School
Allen Everett, McCracken County High School
Hannah Hatton, McCracken County High School
Savannah Henderson, McCracken County High School
Autumn Mehr, Murray High School
Arielle Evans, Trigg County High School
Cooper Long, Trigg County High School
Audrey Smith, Trigg County High School
Pennyrile Region
Shelby Lane, Caldwell County High School
Kylie York, Caldwell County High School
Lucas Gamble, Christian County High School
Fiona Knepper, Christian County High School
Carley Pendleton, Christian County High School
Savannah Rodgers, Christian County High School
Kenlee McDaniel, Crittenden County High School
Kylee James, Hopkins County Central High School
Keli Reynolds, Hopkins County Central High School
Keri Reynolds, Hopkins County Central High School
Karenna Chaudoin, Hopkinsville High School
Lexie Miller, Muhlenberg County High School
Austin Randolph, Muhlenberg County High School
Hayden Greenfield, Todd County Central High School
Julia Martin, Todd County Central High School
Lindy Taylor, Todd County Central High School
Green River Region
Emily Marsh, Henderson County High School
Luke Hawkins, Union County High School
Olivia Sprague, Union County High School
Hannah Thomas, Union County High School
Tara Blanford, Webster County High School
Katelyn Hensley, Webster County High School
Lily Martin, Webster County High School
The Hutson School of Agriculture created the awards program, which named its eighth 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.