Newsroom

The Delaware Farm Bureau is proud to announce the winners of its annual Blue Jacket Bonanza.

The program benefits students enrolled in the FFA program in Delaware who might be financially unable to purchase their own traditional blue jacket.

They are awarded based on need, community service activities, leadership skills and a commitment to the FFA program. Essays and reference letters are required of each applicant.

This year, 44 students will receive jackets from the Blue Jacket Bonanza during their Delaware FFA State Convention held every spring. Since 2015, Delaware Farm Bureau has awarded 335 jackets totaling more than $17,000 through the program.

“To me, it was just an incredible feeling to own my first personal Sussex Tech FFA jacket. Wearing it connects me to the members and officers who came before me and keeps me focused on the goals ahead,” Sussex Technical High School student Taylor Bullis said during last year's presentation at Delaware State University. She received a blue jacket in 2019.

“To me, my blue jacket means much more than just my involvement in the FFA. It symbolizes my growth as a person, as a student and as a leader. Our blue corduroy jacket is much more than just fabric and stitching. It’s a symbol of hope, of hard work, of determination, of sacrifice and of friendship. My blue corduroy jacket represents how the FFA, just like the Farm Bureau, has stood the test of time and will continue to stand," she added.

The following students, listed by school, will be awarded blue jackets from the Delaware Farm Bureau in 2021:

Lake Forest High School
Cole Murphy
Kailyn Pippin
Bethany Beyer
Jordan Hand
Madison Houdek

Caesar Rodney High School
Corinne Hastings
Katelyn Curtis
Dillana Reed

Odessa High School
Ann Wall
Chloe Myers
Ella Vandervort
Natalie Holdren
Harmony Golden

Appoquinimink High School
Jacey Wiley
Erin Kuzminski
Edwina Chen

Seaford High School
Lillie Larimore
Leila Sturgill

Laurel High School
Brayden Hearn

Woodbridge High School
Laney Scott
Avery Kerrick
Carley DeFord

Middletown High School
McKenna Vest

Milford Senior High School
Jorja Willey
Keyla Natareno
Aspen Balas
Colin O'Connor
Mason Foxwell
Victoria Wilson
Matthew Sacks
Tyler Smith

McKean High School
Connor Clinch

Smyrna High School
Alexis Hodge
Payton Eierman
Zoe Bowers
Emma Gonzon
Ally Holmes
Reaghan King
Ashlynn Barkley
Luke Michaud
Bailey Clark
Brandon Scuse
Orlan Kelley IV
Michael Kaminski