September 2002Newsletter

by Mallory McMaster,Reporter

September Meeting

The next meeting of the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter will be held on September 16th, 2002 at 7:00 PM in the Ag Shop.
A-C Ag Ed Dept. hosts OSU Student Teacher

Most of you have seen a new face at FFA functions and Ag Classes. The face belongs to Mr. Falk, a senior at Ohio State University majoring in Agricultural Education. He will be working with Mr. Sharp teaching sophomores and juniors and some seniors. He will get a good taste for the huge lab area that Amanda-Clearcreek has to offer, as well as classroom teaching. Mr. Falk's student teaching experience will give him helpful insight for his future career of an ag teacher. He has already learned a lot from Mr. Sharp and Mr. Tilley, and has a lot of time left to learn more. His last day will be November 29th.

Mr. Falk grew up in Oxford, Ohio and was a member of the Talawanda FFA Chapter, consisting of about 120 members. He sets a good example for A-C members, earning both his State and American FFA Degrees. He was also a 10 year member of 4-H. His hobbies are: Raising a flock of commercial sheep, judging county fair sheep shows.

In Mr. Falk's opinion, the best quality Amanda has to offer is it's a great community, with a caring attitude throughout the school. There is also a lot of enthusiasm throughout the school, and a willingness to learn. He also says we are a very functional chapter with a lot of trips. Amanda is different from the community in which he grew up. Gas stations and grocery stores seem few and far between!

During his stay with us, Mr. Falk plans on conducting some home visits to observe members' SAE projects. He is also excited to spend a week with us at the Fairfield County Fair where our members will exhibit projects we make in lab. He appreciates the welcome attitude the students have had, and is very thankful for the use of the desk and computer in Mr. Sharp's office while he is here.

Be sure to stop in and say hi to Mr. Falk.
Tarlton Fish Fry

Crish Alvey, Katie Bowman, Amanda Cassidy, Leah Edgington, Holly Edwards, Jennifer Evans, Travis Kiser, Stacy Manson, Meagan Silva, and Lindsey Turner assisted with the annual Tarlton Fish Fry at the Tarlton Fire House. Members helped serve, clean tables and clean up at the end.
Washington Leadership Conference

Over the summer, the chapter sent sophomore member Heather Hines to Washington DC for a week-long leadership conference for FFA Members. Heather received the Memorial Award at last year's banquet. Recipients of this award are sent in honor of Becky Strickler and Rusty Bowers, former A-C FFA members. The trip is paid for by a separate account. The participants enjoyed attending lots of leadership workshops and meeting students from around the country.
Members Attend State FFA Camp

Twenty-four members from the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter attended the 4th and 5th sessions of Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum over the summer. The attendees were:

Beth Fouse, Kristin Graves, Rachel Makarius Brandy Saum, Jace Spires, Lindsey Turner, Samantha Wiggins, Rick Foster, Emilee Klamfoth, Meagan Silva, David Thomas, Whitney Turner, Jenny Zaayer, Crish Alvey, Nick Boso, Amanda Cassidy, Lindsey Carpenter, Bryan Hill, Christian Hoffman, Brandon Johnston, Megan Miller, Cassi Slone, Bobbi Thomas and Greg Wehrle. They were accompanied at the 4th session by Mr. TIlley and Mr. Sharp. According to Lindsey Carpenter, FFA Camp is "A great experience to meet new people from other chapters and make friendships to last a lifetime." Amanda Cassidy expanded on that, stating that "FFA Camp is a really good time, a lot of fun and you get to meet new people (***boys***) and I would encourage anyone to attend."
North Market

Crish Alvey, Holly Edwards, Jennifer Evans, Emilee Klamfoth, Martina Stanley, Amie White, and Jenny Zaayer, with the help of one calf, participated in the North Market Ag Awareness demonstration. The chapter made posters and fact sheets dealing with the topic, the Dairy Industry. The chapter also sold ice cream cones at this activity.

Canoe Trip

Crish Alvey, Eric Cox, Amy Darst, Ralston Foster, Rick Foster, Calvin Hanes, Tara Hite, Sandy Larson, Jordan Lee, Stacy Manson, Randall Miller, Cassie Shaeffer, Cassi Slone, Jace Spires, Tabby Strausz, Ryan Sturgeon, Lindsey Turner, and Greg Wehrle all helped to properly initiate Mr. Falk on the Hocking River. The chapter spent a day of fun filled canoeing
Farm Science Review

The chapter went to the Farm Science Review on September 17th. Ninety-one members participated, enjoying excellent food and fun activities while gaining knowledge in the agricultural area. Members also sold raffle tickets for a John Deere Gator that benefit the Ohio FFA Foundation.
New Members

The new Freshman class consists of 63 FFA members, the largest ever. Mr. Tilley comments that "This freshman class has started as good as any have, especially considering there are over 20 in each of the three Ag Science classes. We have high hopes for the class of 2006." Freshman FFA members are encouraged to become involved in all FFA activities, and take part in the leadership of our chapter.
Chapter Assists Lion's Club

On September 14th, the A-C FFA sent members to assist with the Lion's Club dinner. The following members participated:

Alissa Foley, Sara Howard, Leslie McAfee, Christina Kazee, Joe Penhorwood, and Randall Miller.
Chapter Helps with 6th Grade Camp

On September 25th, members from the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter helped orchestrate the annual 6th grade camp at Geneva Hills. Participating members were: Crish Alvey, Amanda Cassidy, Rebecca Gillian, Emily Klamfoth, Beth Fouse, Rock Edgington, Erin Gilfillen, Heather Hines, Joe Althaus, Andrea Loudermilk, Shauna Cornell, Brian Bussert, Joe Penourwood, Greg Wehrle, Samantha Wiggins, Lindsey Turner, Stacy Manson and Amie White.

Members helped 6th graders participate in activities that encouraged teamwork and leadership, such as a Hula Hoop Pass, Wooden Trolleys, All Aboard, Noodle Ball and the Human Knot. You may remember some of these fun activities from FFA Camp!
Team Competing Nationally

The Ag Communications Team consisting of Mallory McMaster, Meagan Silva, Jenny Zaayer and Cassi Slone will compete in the National Agricultural Communications contest at the 2002 National FFA Convention. Last year the chapter was represented at this competition by Heather Makarius, Jennifer Cochran, Rachel Makarius and Beth Fouse. The team received 4th place nationally. This year's team hopes to represent our chapter and state well!
National Convention

National Convention time is quickly approaching! Mr. Tilley is in the process of organizing this year's trip, which has been approved by the Amanda-Clearcreek Board of Education. Unlike past years, there will be no short trip option this year. We will leave on Wednesday, October 30th and return on Sunday, November 3rd. While at National Convention, the chapter will be recognized for receiving a 2-Star National Chapter Rating. Robert Blosser will receive his American degree this year. The chapter will be represented in the Agricultural Communications Contest by Mallory McMaster, Meagan Silva, Jenny Zaayer and Cassi Slone.
New Committees

The chapter voted at the September meeting to convert to three committees instead of six. This new method complies with National recommendations. The new committees will be: Student Development, Chapter Development, and Community Development. There will be two cochairmen for each committee.