Hill is retiring this year, after 30 years of serving as the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at the high school. The Sweet Springs FFA chapter was named the number one chapter in the state of Missouri at the Missouri FFA Convention held April 17-18 in Columbia.

At the end of the awards ceremony, Brent Niemeyer, who has worked as the assistant FFA advisor with Hill for eight years and will be taking over the program next year, addressed the crowd.

"One of the many things Mr. Hill has taught me is that this banquet is about the kids and normally Mr. Hill and myself don't come up here and say anything, but this is a special night," he said, before asking Mr. Hill to come join him in front of the crowd of over 200 people gathered in Sweet Springs' gymnasium. The crowd came to their feet for a long ovation.

Niemeyer remarked on the many accomplishments of the FFA program and Hill himself, including the recent state award. He also noted that Hill was named the top Agriculture Education Teacher in the state last summer and that Sweet Springs was recognized as the top Agriculture Education program in the state two years ago.

"One of the things he wanted to instill in the students was a sense of pride and ownership in the small community," he said, noting the wide range of school board members, community members and parents who had been in the program under Hill.

He announced that a "picture plaque" will be hung in the agriculture building that will read, "Mr. Dan Hill, in recognition of 30 years of your service, hard work and commitment to the Sweet Springs FFA, Ag department, school and community.

As a result of your tireless efforts and unparalled dedication the Sweet Springs' FFA has become one of the premier chapters in the state and the nation. The knowledge and the life lessons that you have passed on to your students as well as your fellow teachers have prepared them for the future and made them better people along the way."

He also thanked Hill on behalf of the parents of Sweet Springs' FFA members, the past members, the school, community and himself and his wife.

"It's getting late and I'm not going to give more speeches," Hill said.

"I just want to let you know how much I appreciate everything you have done. These past eight years have been especially enjoyable because of who I am working with. I have no doubt that the future of this chapter next year and the years to come will be in better hands than it has been for the last several years."

Awards presented at the Sweet Springs' FFA banquet and other area FFA banquet results will be on the Tuesday May 7 agriculture page.

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www.marshallnews.com/story/1302236.html

Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net