Repair skilLs earn top FFA award
Lewandowski receives first in proficiency
BY SARAH MIDDENDORF | STAFF WRITER
Choosing a supervised agricultural experience is something most FFA members do. This particular choice for Ben Lewandowski led to him placing first in the Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement Proficiency Award. The award was bestowed April 23, 2024, at the Minnesota State FFA Convention in Minneapolis.
“(I like) working with my hands … and learning new things,” Lewandowski said. “Every day there’s something different, and that’s fun.”
building and refurbishing semitrucks is 95% of the work at the business, according to owner Harold Lezer.
Former Foley FFA adviser Victoria Keiser wanted all seniors to have an SAE and apply for state degrees. Lewandowski applied for the proficiency at the same time as his state degree.
“It was cool working with them (the other FFA seniors) and adjacent to them,” Lewandowski said. “You can kind of compare and contrast what everybody does.”
everything he worked on.
Some of the SAE requirements Lewandowski needed to fulfill included 25 hours of community service, earning at least $2,000 in income, completing various amounts of activities, and understanding various skills, competencies and knowledge within FFA.
Upon graduating Lewandowski has been working full-time at Lezer Painting in rural Foley, but he started part-time three years ago. He did not officially start his SAE until fall 2023, which was his senior year of high school.
At Lezer Painting, employees work on tractors and semi-trucks. Re-
Lewandowski looked through all the different areas and found a category he would be interested in — agricultural mechanics repair and maintenance. He decided to pursue that as his SAE, leading him to getting his proficiency.
To complete his SAE, Lewandowski took pictures and kept records of
Lewandowski said he also had to submit his SAE information on The Academic Experience Tracker, an online software, and had an all-day interview in Milaca, where he was asked about his SAE as well as demonstrated his general knowledge of FFA.
Because Lewandowski also applied for the proficiency, he had a separate, more in-depth interview to go over his SAE. He said he had to show all his pay stubs and pictures of different repairs he made to prove the work he had completed.
“It was a lot of proof,” Lewandowski said. “If you didn’t have proof, they wouldn’t give it to you. With (the) state degree, it’s kind of ‘Let’s see your evidence,’ but then, with the proficiency, they want to know in detail what you did.”
itors, he waited on stage to see his placement. Lewandowski was standing in the middle.
“When you are on stage, you can’t hear or see anything,” Lewandowski said.
After the interview process, Lewandowski was told he made it to state, but he was not exactly sure what placement he took. He later found out he placed in the top three.
“It was kind of a waiting game,” Lewandowski said. “It was a lot of wait and see; they didn’t really come out and tell you.”
Two months later, Lewandowski attended the Minnesota State FFA Convention with his peers in Minneapolis. As part of the top three state compet-
The announcer called the first name, and the person on Lewandowski’s left stepped forward for third place. The next name called was for second place.
stage, the FFA members swapped awards, and Lewandowski was finally able to hold his first-place award.
Lewandowski was in FFA from ninth through 12th grade. He was heavily involved in the chapter by being the sentinel for two years and participated in multiple career development events — crops, agriculture mechanics and small engines.
“They called the other guy’s name, but I didn’t hear that, so I just automatically stepped up,” Lewandowski said. “I figured I got second place.”
The person on his right accepted the firstplace award. Then, Lewandowski looked at the screen behind him, and to his surprise, his name was in the first-place slot.
Once they were back-
He is using his recently acquired skills to restore an old Farmall C International that he bought from his grandpa, Richard Kampa.
“I’m taking everything that he (Harold) taught me and putting it into that, (and) I’m still learning,” Lewandowski said.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Former Foley FFA Chapter adviser Victoria Keiser (left) and Ben Lewandowski hold the first-place plaque April 23, 2024, at the Minnesota State FFA Convention in Minneapolis. Lewandowski placed first and earned the Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement Proficiency Award.
PHOTO BY SARAH MIDDENDORF
Harold Lezer (left) and Ben Lewandowski gather together Dec. 23, 2024, at Lezer Painting in rural Foley. Lewandowski has been working at Lezer Painting for three years.
Foley FFA Chapter
The Foley FFA Chapter consists of Mathew Bonzelet (front, from left), Alaina Moulzolf, Cylie Marshik, Josi Pozorski, Skylar Morris, Addison Dahler, Jada Hansen, Luke Sobania and Noah Lentner; (second row, from left) Brooke Pikula, Terrilynn Pleskac, Kendra Dietz, Chloe Wirtzfeld, Alaina Kroska, Marnie Rahm, Owen Schefers, Colton Olson, Callen Zulawski and Ryder Lewandowski; (third row, from left) Addy Novak, Olivia Rauschendorfer, Madisyn Rauschendorfer, Maya Rahm, Myah Mortensen, Ashley Postle, Delayna Rife, Kolben Pozorski and Gabe Orton; (back, from left) Alex Wirtzfeld, Dominic Malikowski, Jesse Bursch, Mason Arnold, Jack Dahler, Branson Beauchamp, Leo Gadacz, Cole Lentner, Jared Lewandowski, Wyatt Montag and CJ Kremer. Not pictured are Kaylee Dahler, Hoyt Rife, Justin Novak, Cody Gadacz, Aleaya Kipka, Anastasia Malikowski, Ava Dahler, Paige Fussy, Nevaeh Beack, Steven Heirigs, Carter Coil, Samantha Kothman, Tyson Sullivan, Nolan Hackett and Alivia Arnold.
5 degrees of FFA
FFA awards five degrees, which students
Seventh and eighth grade members who meet requirements are eligible. These requirements include participating in chapter-level activities, understanding agricultural-related careers and being familiar with the chapter program.
PHOTOs SUBMITTED
The Foley FFA Chapter officers are Alaina Moulzolf (from left), Cylie Marshik, Josi Pozorski, Skylar Morris, Addison Dahler, Jada Hansen, Luke Sobania, Mathew Bonzelet and Noah Lentner.
Little Falls
Greenhand FFA Degree
— Awarded at the chapter level.
All members who meet requirements are eligible. Requirements include being enrolled in an agriculture class and having plans for a supervised agricultural experience to having knowledge of FFA and its history.
Chapter FFA Degree — Awarded at the chapter level.
Awarded to an FFA chapter’s top members. Members in grade 9 or above who meet requirements are eligible. Requirements include obtaining the Greenhand FFA Degree, demonstrating different abilities and leadership skills learned through FFA, and completing numerous hours of agriculture classes and community service
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Little Falls FFA Chapter consists of officers Madison Holtz (front, from left), Megan Fellbaum, Emma Butterfass, Everett Rudolph, Brooklyn Holtz and Emily Westerman; (second row, from left) Mr. Brent Arndt, Shelby Barber, Abby Wimmer, Chance Anez, Ella Myers, Rachel Geise, Ryland Harkel, Katelyn Barnes, Hannah Kructhen, Lakeshia Kuhl and Maranda Mollner; (back, from left) Steven Schilling, Connor Gerads, Nathan VanHeel, Nick Becker, Hunter VanHeel, Joey Hanfler and Levi Baggentoss. Not pictured are Carson Budnick, Jackson Fure, Alavro Gutierrez, Miley Hilmerson, Morgan Johannes, Serenity Kay, Addison Rutz-Stone, Briel Selinsk and Marshall Zapalka.
Milaca FFA Chapter
The Milaca FFA Chapter consists of Taylor Christensen (front, from left), Samantha Wendland, Avery Olson, Luke Pietrzak, Kolten Vonderharr, Sara Miller, Alayna Hustad, Autumn Olson, Brittany Carlson, Violet Hjort, Makenna Miller and Jacob Tupker; (second row, from left) Addelyn Sonnek, Chesney Bell, Sam Isaacson, Lillia Larson, Emma Brown, Violet Hines, Mandy Rinkel, Olivia Hollenkamp, Ellianna Schendel, Claire Chalberg, Emilia Krotzer and Corey Klages; (third row, from left) Emma White, Allie Meyer, Dixie Frazier, Kaynen Hoeck, Justice Cantrell, Kaitlyn Byker, Adreanna Kaas, Avery Beumer and Blake Pietrzak; (back, from left) Mr. Doug Olson, Shane Olson, Carson Ash, Reed Beumer, Lane Rosonke, Hunter Gadacz, Kaylee Tupker, Kendell Ash, Sawyer Schendel, Zoey Wallace, Sadie Remer and Leann Pietrzak. Not pictured are Natalyn Daugherty, Hunter Hjort, Peyton Johnson and Heather Chapin.
State FFA Degree — Awarded at the state level.
Awarded to a state FFA association’s top members.
Members who have completed 24 months with the organization are eligible.
To achieve, members must obtain a Chapter FFA Degree; invest a listed amount and work a listed number of hours in a supervised agricultural experience; complete a specified number of community service hours, demonstrate leadership; and participate in activities throughout FFA.
are vice president of growing leaders Taylor Christensen (front, from left), president Autumn Olson, vice president of strengthening agriculture Brittany
and vice president of building
secretary Alayna Hustad, reporter Ellianna Schendel, treasurer Kaylee Tupker and sentinel Violet Hjort.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
The Milaca FFA Chapter officers
Carlson
communities Adreanna Kaas; (back, from left) reporter Allie Meyer,
SUBMITTED
The Pierz FFA Chapter consists of Catherine Wehsehler (front, from left), Isabelle Smude, Emilie Smude, Josi Smude, Isabelle Dulude and Katlyn Gotvald; (second row, from left) Khloe Scheel, Jordan Mathiason, Ava Fischer, Kaedyn Johnson, Brady Smude and Alisha Karst; (back, from left) Carter Stich, Preston Kapsner, Alex Sebasky, Ben Rudolph, Brandon Hustoft and Carter Happke. Not pictured are Ben Leidenfrost, Faith Boser, Khloe Koslowski, Andrew Scheel, Westin Hoheisel, Henry Stamm, Harley Melby, Matthew Gotvald, Adam Hoheisel, Hailey Gall, Hannah Pawlu, Jaylen Wyatt, Leland Richmond, Erica Rudolph, Logan Kurtz, Brooke Sauer, Kyle Gadacz, Daisy Dickmann and Trevor Leikvoll.
PHOTOS
The Pierz FFA chapter officers are secretary Catherine Wehseler (from left), treasurer Isabelle Smude, president Emilie Smude, vice president Josi Smude, reporter Isabelle Dulude and sentinel Katlyn Gotvald.
Sauk Rapids-Rice
FFA Chapter
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Sauk Rapids-Rice FFA Chapter consists of Leah Schelske (front, from left) and Madalyn Kronenberg; (second row, from left) Natalie Rittmann, Abigail Kapsner, Addison Nellis and Austin Molitor; (third row, from left) Cordia Henry, Logan Mecklenburg, Triston Miller and Louis Montag; (fourth row, from left) Gracelyn Parker, Amelia Grabowski, Lilly Epsky and Collin Hanson; (fifth row, from left) Claire Braucks, Ellie Rohrbeck and Rachel Hilton; (sixth row, from left) Annabella Wittkowski-Douvier, Joycie Hanson, Luanne McConnell, Regan Listul and Jasmine Brenny; (back, from left) Karina Trejo, Henry Trompeter and Brianna Eckerman. Not pictured are Rose Firenz, Abigale High, Hailey Hurdt, Rhema Knudson, Mark Montag, Andie Roering, Evan Scapanski and Nina Strack.
