Feb. 15-22, 2025
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.” 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-
building and refurbishing everything he worked on. semitrucks is 95% of the Some of the SAE rework at the business, ac- quirements Lewandowski cording to owner Harold needed to fulfill included Lezer. 25 hours of community Former Foley FFA service, earning at least adviser Victoria Keiser $2,000 in income, comwanted all seniors to have pleting various amounts of an SAE and apply for state activities, and understanddegrees. Lewandowski ap- ing various skills, complied for the proficiency at petencies and knowledge the same time as his state within FFA. degree. Lewandowski said he “It was cool working also had to submit his SAE with them (the other FFA information on The Acaseniors) and adjacent to demic Experience Trackthem,” Lewandowski said. er, an online software, “You can kind of compare and had an all-day interand contrast what every- view in Milaca, where he body does.” was asked about his SAE Lewandowski looked as well as demonstrated through all the different his general knowledge of areas and found a category FFA. he would be interested in Because Lewandows— agricultural mechanics ki also applied for the prorepair and maintenance. ficiency, he had a separate, He decided to pursue that more in-depth interview as his SAE, leading him to to go over his SAE. He getting his proficiency. said he had to show all his To complete his SAE, pay stubs and pictures of Lewandowski took pic- different repairs he made tures and kept records of to prove the work he had
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.
completed. itors, he waited on stage “It was a lot of proof,” to see his placement. LeLewandowski said. “If you wandowski was standing didn’t have proof, they in the middle. wouldn’t give it to you. “When you are on With (the) state degree, stage, you can’t hear or see it’s kind of ‘Let’s see your anything,” Lewandowski evidence,’ but then, with said. the proficiency, they want The announcer called to know in detail what you the first name, and the did.” person on LewandowsAfter the interview ki’s left stepped forward process, Lewandows- for third place. The next ki was told he made it to name called was for secstate, but he was not exact- ond place. ly sure what placement he “They called the other took. He later found out he guy’s name, but I didn’t placed in the top three. hear that, so I just auto“It was kind of a wait- matically stepped up,” Leing game,” Lewandowski wandowski said. “I figured said. “It was a lot of wait I got second place.” and see; they didn’t really The person on his come out and tell you.” right accepted the firstTwo months later, place award. Then, LeLewandowski attended wandowski looked at the the Minnesota State FFA screen behind him, and to Convention with his peers his surprise, his name was in Minneapolis. As part of in the first-place slot. the top three state competOnce they were back-
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. Published by:
A Supplement to the
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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. 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.