This week the Ava High School FFA Chapter joins FFA chapters across the county in observing National FFA Week.
The local chapter has many activities going on this week, and stays busy throughout the year with various activities of the organization.
Following is a recap of some of the year’s activities as provided by the Ava High School Chapter.
Ava FFA Year in Review
By Abby Dean, Chapter Reporter
During the summer, members attend FFA Camp, Area Leadership Conference, fairs to show cattle, work foxtrotters, participate in the float trip, and maintain their SAEs while keeping up their recordbook.
The fall is also busy time of year for our chapter. We participated in Ag Olympics at Fordland High School, receiving 3rd place, sold fruit and meat, worked the booth at foxtrotters selling bags of shavings and cleaning stalls, and conducted the labor auction. Members also attended National FFA Convention, had a Christmas party, decorated Christmas and Homecoming floats, sold poinsettias, and participated in fall speeches at area and districts.
Ava FFA conducts over 100 activities throughout the year. Members are celebrating being an FFA member and are busy promoting their organization throughout FFA week.
On Sunday, 16 members attended the Highway Church of the Nazarene and were graciously fed a meal as a thank you for attending.
Monday members wore boots and bandanas; Tuesday, members sported their FFA apparel and four members participated in the muddy vehicle contests.
On Wednesday, members wore camo or hunter orange, and Thursday is dress like a farmer and drive your tractor to school day. Thursday night is open gym from 6-8 p.m.
Friday is our businessmen’s and women’s breakfast in the Ag Room from 7-8 a.m. for those individuals who have supported our chapter throughout the year.
Other activities include hosting six blood drives, which are held in the Performing Arts Center in February, April, June, August, October, and December. The numbers of donors has increased this year and our average is over 80 each drive.
We will have 13 students receiving area degrees: Rusty Rogers, Nikki Dougherty, Augusta Rideeoutte, James Elijah, Ashtin Stillings, Amy Gillespie, Destany Russell, Brittany Maggard, Cheyanne Russ, Alex Cardone Cayla McFarlin, Ashley Riggs, and Stephanie Whiteman.
Four members are trying to obtain their State FFA degree, three are applying for the American FFA Degree, and four are winning proficiencies.
This year, we celebrated our 75th FFA Anniversary with activities all day. We hosted a Food for America program for the elementary with animal and farm equipment. Middle school students received ice cream and the high school participated in an assembly. All students received an Ava FFA pencil.
That night, we provided a meal for over 200 people and had speakers reflecting on FFA and gave away door prizes.
Career Development Event or contest teams are starting soon which include floriculture, ag sales, speaking, poultry, dairy foods, knowledge, dairy cattle, horses, livestock, ag mechanics, soils, and forestry. Also in the spring, we host banquet, produce flowers and vegetables in the greenhouse, and complete applications for degrees, proficiencies, and national chapter for activities.
At the Chapter Banquet on April 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria, we will recognize members for chapter proficiencies, contests successes, and award scholarships. In addition, we will honor supporters and install the new officer team for 2011-2012.
Plans are already being made for summer 2011 by attending the Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., FFA Camp, June Foxtrotter show, fairs to show cattle and other exhibits, and our annual float trip.
