Kewaskum FFA Chapter 75th Anniversary Celebration

Section 10 State FFA Officer, Max Luedtke and Kewaskum FFA President, Zach Oelhafen.

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This year’s Honorary FFA Member is Angie Krejcarek. She was recognized for volunteering to take the photos for and designing the senior FFA member banners on display at the banquet. She is joined in the photo by the 2025-26 FFA Officer Team and the advisors.

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Cale Krejcarek is the recipient of the Star Chapter Farmer Award.Pictured: Cale Krejcarek and Mrs. Shelly Oelhafen, Kewaskum FFA Advisor

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Several members received their Greenhand Degrees this year. Only one can be recognized as the Star Greenhand recipient and that was awarded to Autumn Reindl. Pictured in the photo left to right: Lexi Butzlaff, Logan Morris, Joel Maas, and Autumn Reindl.

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Several FFA members filled out the application for the Beef Management Proficiency award. All did a good job on their applications, but there is only one winner. This year’s winner is Audrey Weinreich. Pictured in the photo left to right: Josh Weinreich, Audrey Weinreich and Chloe Neuy.

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Logan Morris is the recipient of the Wildlife Management Proficiency Award. Pictured: Logan Morris and Mrs. Shelly Oelhafen, Kewaskum FFA Advisor

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Lexi Butzlaff is the winner of the Small Animal Management Proficiency Award. Pictured: Lexi Butzlaff and Mrs. Shelly Oelhafen, Kewaskum FFA Advisor

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The Kewaskum Veterinary Clinic Scholarship recipients are Zach Oelhafen and Zoey Reysen. Amanda represented the Kewaskum Veterinary Clinic and presented the scholarship to each of the individuals. Kewaskum Veterinary Clinic has been a supporter of the Kewaskum FFA for almost 60 years. Pictured in the photo from left to right: Zach Oelhafen, Amanad, Zoey Reysen.

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Three scholarships were awarded to deserving members by the Kewaskum FFA Alumni & Supporters Organization. The Kewaskum FFA Alumni group continues to offer scholarships year after year with the funds raised during several local fundraisers. Winner of the scholarships were Zach Oelhafen, Zoey Reysen, and Oliver Luedtke. Pictured in the photo left to right: Zach Oelhafen and Cody Oelhafen, President of the Kewaskum FFA Alumni.

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The Dean H. Roe Memorial Scholarship was a new scholarship presented at the banquet this year. Dean was an active FFA member during his years at Whitewater High School and a former teacher at Kewaskum High School. Audrey Weinreich was one of the scholarship recipients this year along with Ryan Thull. Pictured left to right: Audrey Weinreich and Mrs. Shelly Oelhafen, Kewaskum FFA Advisor.

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There were a total of 14 senior FFA members this year. This was a very active group of members for all of their years of membership. They have made a big difference in the Kewaskum FFA Chapter and will be remembered for a long time.

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The 2025-26 Kewaskum FFA Officer Team. Pictured left to right: Row 1-Audrey Weinreich, Autumn Reindl, Zoey Reysen. Row 2- Joel Maas, Parker Neuy, Ryan Thull, Zach Oelhafen and Cale Krejcarek

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One of the very first FFA members of the Kewaskum FFA Chapter from 1951, Gerald (Poncho) Schulz, was greeted by several of the FFA officers as he entered the banquet.

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Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2026 12:00 am

I am very proud to have had Dave as my Ag. teacher, FFA advisor, mentor and for him “advising” me to become the next Agricultural teacher and FFA Advisor to take over when he retired from Kewaskum High School.”

Michelle Oelhafen, Kewaskum FFA Advisor

Michelle Oelhafen
Kewaskum FFA Advisor

The Kewaskum FFA Chapter celebrated its 75th Anniversary at the FFA Annual Awards Banquet on April 30, 2026. This was a special milestone for the Kewaskum FFA Chapter since its inception on May 1, 1951. Several special recognitions were part of the evening celebration and award presentations. Gerald Schulz, one of the original members of the first membership list was in attendance and was recognized for being part of the very active Kewaskum High School organization. Carol Oelhafen shared stories of the very first FFA President, Sylvester (Chick) Hawig after doing a phone interview with him due to him not being able to attend in person. It was great to hear about the “good ol’ days”. Also in attendance was Mr. Dave Rizzardi, who was the Agricultural teacher and FFA Advisor for 33 years at Kewaskum High School. Dave was very instrumental in establishing the strong agricultural and FFA program over the years. His dedication to providing meaningful agricultural experiences to so many Kewaskum High School graduates is commendable. I am very proud to have had Dave as my Ag. teacher, FFA advisor, mentor and for him “advising” me to become the next Agricultural teacher and FFA Advisor to take over when he retired from Kewaskum High School.
About 145 guests enjoyed the delicious food during the formal meal and the rest of the evening of many award presentations that the members had earned throughout the year. The Kewaskum FFA Chapter is a very active organization that plans many events and participates in several community service events every year. The members participate in state wide competitions in the areas of Leadership Development and Career Development events as well as the Washington County and State Fair livestock shows. There are many opportunities to be rewarded for all of the hard work and dedication to these areas during the awards banquet.
We also have the support of area businesses and organizations who offer scholarship opportunities to graduating senior FFA members. The Kewaskum Veterinary Clinic, Kewaskum FFA Alumni & Supporters Organization and the Dean H. Roe Memorial were part of the scholarship offerings this year.
Being one of the largest student organizations at Kewaskum High School, the FFA has many dedicated members who gain many valuable life experiences throughout their years of membership. We are always very proud to share the successes of the entire FFA Chapter as well as its individual members.