Summer of 2004Newsletter

by Heather Hines,Reporter

2003-2004 Banquet a Success!

If you attended this year's banquet on May 19th, you know that our chapter had an outstanding year. Some of the awards presented were:

Chapter Proficiency Awards

Accounting ~ June Spires

Agricultural Processing ~ Wayne Strickler

Agricultural Sales~ Jace Spires

Beef Production~ Martina Stanley

Diversified Horticulture~ Jace Spires

Forest Management~ Jace Spires

Grain Production~ Brad Bowers and Christian Hoffman

Home and/or Community Development~ Jace Spires

Nursery Operations~ Jace Spires

Small Animal Care and Production~ Lindsey Carpenter and Christina Gierhart

Turf Grass Management~ Jace Spires

Proficiency awards are based upon a member's Supervised Agricultural Experience Project(s). Applicants must complete and submit their project books and a detailed application. Project books are evaluated for accuracy and neatness while the applications are also evaluated for these factors plus numerous others such as the description of skills learned, supporting pictures, etc. Currently each February, applications are reviewed for accuracy at the District level and submitted to the State level for further evaluation and placing. Those applicants deemed to be in the top in the state in their respective area are then interviewed. From these final applicants, three are then selected as the top three in the state, receiving their final placing and award plaques at the State FFA Convention in May. The members listed above applied for awards within the chapter and are this year's winners.

Star Geenhand Award

Stacey Sams, Adam Baldwin, Jessica Caisse and Ashley Lamb

The Star Greenhand Award is awarded each year to the top freshman member or members who excel in their first year and show great promise for success within the FFA.

Star Chapter Award

Christina Gierhart, Martina Stanley, and Jennifer Zaayer

The Star Chapter Award is awarded each year to the top senior member or members who excel throughout all four years of high school and have not received their State Degree.

Made for Excellence Award

Christine Bussert, Stacey Sams, Margo McMaster, Erika Hardman, and Ashley Lamb This award is given to freshman or sophomore members who show good leadership skills. They will attend a weekend leadership conference next school year.

Dekalb Leadership Award

Jennifer Zaayer This award is given to a four-year senior who has excelled in they're given SAE area, leadership, FFA, scholarship and has participated in other school activities.

Memorial Award

Cortney Collins and Adam Baldwin These awards are given to two freshman, sophomore, or junior members who attend an interview and are interested in attending a week long leadership conference held in Washington, D.C. in the summer. These awards are given in memory of two former members of the Amanda Clearcreek FFA chapter, Becky Strickler and Rusty Bowers.
Amanda Clearcreek FFA Alumni scholarship

Nick Griener, a past chapter president, represented the Amanda Clearcreek FFA Alumni at this years banquet. This is the second year the alumni has given out two $250.00 scholarships to deserving seniors who have showed great leadership and chosen to pursue further education beyond high school. The two seniors who applied were two very deserving members of the chapter, Martina Stanley and Jennifer Zaayer. Congratulations to Martina and Jennifer for earning these scholarships.
Top Mulch Sellers Trip

On May 24th, several of the chapter's members embarked on a weekend camping trip to Pine Hill Camp Grounds in West Virginia. Those attending were: Christine Bussert, April Senften, Heather Hines, Samantha Reid, Stacey Sams, Dana Clayton, Brian Bussert, Jake Westhoven, Brad Bowers, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Tilley. We would also like to thank Jennifer Cochran, an A-C FFA Alumni member, for going and helping to chaperone this year's trip.

The members enjoyed cooking with a campfire, hiking to Ravens Rock overlook, wild caving at Bear Hole Cave and whitewater rafting on the Cheat River. Thanks to all members who sold mulch, and we look forward to having a great trip next year.

FFA Summer Hours

Every FFA member is required to participate in at least eight hours of scheduled summer activities with the FFA during the summer. There are a few different ways you can do this. The easiest way is to go to FFA camp. A few other ways that you can mix and match to receive your hours are: Adopt-A-Highway, Industry Tour, the Ohio Cattleman Association's State Fair Food Booth, Canoe Trip, Washington Leadership Conference, clean-up and repair the Cross Mound Park, Summer Ag Breakfasts, Hosting the Ohio FFA Center, Tarlton Fire Dept. Fish Fry, or simply just helping organize and clean the Ag Department facilities.

Canoe Trip - 3 hour credit

The annual FFA canoe trip will be held on July 31st. We will meet at the school at 8:30 a.m.in the Ag Shop, and then we will take a school bus to the Hocking River. If you like to go canoeing or just want to have a lot of fun getting three of your summer hours, be at the ag shop on the 31st.

Adopt-A-Highway - 3 hour credit

The August Adopt-a-Highway will be held on August 7th @ 11:00 a.m. This is a great opportunity to get a large amount of your summer hours all in one day. You can attend the Ag Breakfast that morning and immediately following that you can come back to Amanda and help clean up our three mile stretch of State Route 159.

Washington Leadership Conference

This is for those members who earned the Memorial award at this years banquet. Members who are going this year with Mr. Sharp the week of the July 6th-11th are Cortney Collins & Adam Baldwin. All hours will be received by going on this trip.

Industry Tour - 4 hour credit

We are planning on taking tours of Jayron Fabricating, Woodwares, Norwesco Longaberger. We will meet at school in the Ag shop at 8:30 a.m. and stop for a good lunch on the way from Longaberger factory. We should return by 6:00 p.m. that evening. There is plenty of room for more of you for this activity.

The Ohio Cattleman Association's food booth - 8 hour credit

The Ohio Cattleman's Association is in need of people to work their food booth at the Ohio State Fair. They have asked our FFA chapter to work the booth on August 6th. We will be working in two shifts, with one group working and the other group visiting the fair and then later switching. The Ohio Cattleman's will provide one meal. You need to be at the school by 9:30 a.m. in casual, school appropriate clothes and we will be back by 9:00 p.m. We can take approximately 16 members to this function.

Clean up and repair the Cross Mound Park - actual hours credit

General cleanup and repair at the Cross Mound near Tarlton (probably 3 to 5 hours) including fence repair, trail repair etc.We will be meeting there at 10:00 a.m. on June 17th

Summer Ag Breakfast

This is just a fun easy way to stay in touch with friends and earn summer hours. Remember that if you go to all Ag breakfasts you will receive 2 summer hours

July 1st at Tee Jays at 9:00 a.m. -1/2 hour credit

August 5th at Bob Evans at 9:00 a.m. -1/2 hour credit

September 2nd at Frishes at 7:00 a.m. -1/2 hour credit

Hosting the Ohio FFA Center - 4 hour credit

Another opportunity you have to receive your summer hours is hosting at the Ohio FFA Center during the state fair. The chapter will typically take nine members to represent the chapter as well as FFA chapters statewide to meet and greet people at the state fair. We will be hosting on August 4th. You need to wear your official dress. If you show good leadership skills and like to meet new people, then this is a good opportunity for you.

Tarlton Firemen's Fish Fry - 6 hour credit

Two years ago, we began helping at the Tarlton Fire Department annual fish fry. What we do is have 15-20 people to come to Tarlton to the town hall and help with the general operation. It is fun as well as a good way for our FFA chapter to perform some community service. It will be held on June 24th and you need to be there at 3:00 p.m.. All members attending should were their FFA T-shits.

FFA Camp - 8 hour credit + 1 bonus hour

The chapter is participating in the 5th session of FFA Camp at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum. The 5th session will run from July 12th through the 16th.

School Work Days - actual hours credit

Clean main shop; organize shop, ect (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) You will need to be contacted for official dates.

With the listed activities, there will be plenty of time for everyone to get their 8 hours of required time in. Students are also reminded that they are not limited to 8 hours, so, for example, if they go to camp and go canoeing, there is no problem. The more, the merrier. Each hour will be worth 50 points to the FFA part of your grade for the 1st grading period, totaling 400points.A maximum of 500 can be earned (100 bonus) for extra activities in the summer, giving you a great way to start off the next school year with a good grade.

For those returning students (current sophomores and juniors), don't count on activities once school has started; summer hours are just that, summer hours.

 

FFA Camp

The chapter is participating in the 5th session of FFA Camp at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum this summer. The 5th session will run from July 12 through the 16th. Those attending need to be at school at 8:00 a.m. on the 12th.

Some activities at camp include: canoeing, kayaking, motorboats, tennis, volleyball, softball, riflery, archery and shotgun ranges, basketball, swimming, fishing, a nature center, nature hikes, high ropes, dances, a talent show, public speaking contests, and numerous leadership activities... the list goes on forever. Many members have participated in camp in the past, and most loved the experience.

What to bring

Sleeping bag or two sheets (bunk size), pillow and pillow case, towels, soap and other toiletries, fishing tackle, musical instruments, clothing suitable for camping, light jacket, two pairs of shoes, camera. Film will be on sale at camp. Bring good appetites.

Free time

You will have free time for sports, fishing, etc. The objective is to organize activities to get to know fellow FFA members from all over the state of Ohio.

Dress code

Campers are required to wear shoes at camp at all times. Proper dress will be required in the dining hall. Girls are asked to wear clothing that is conservative and will not draw attention to particular individuals. Campers are asked to avoid wearing clothing with drug, alcohol, or tobacco references or that are inappropriate for a school setting.

Activities

Activities include dances, sports, speaking contests, chapter challenges, meeting current and past state officers, boating, fishing, rifle range, overnight campouts, service projects, and more.

To get more info go to www.ffacamp.com

The following members will be attending the 5th session: Christine Bussert, Ashley Lamb,Lacey Price, Jessica Caisse. Shaelyn Iles, Brittany Manson, Jeremy Gozy, Cortney Collins, Adam Baldwin, Ben Ball, Billy Davis, Samantha Reid, Dani Sowers Heather Cramer, Erika Hardman, Justin Doone, Alisha Kougher, Amanda Cassidy, Lindsey Carpenter, Heather Hines, Crish Alvey, Brandon Johnston, Christian Hoffman, Brad Bowers, Megan Braden, Ryan Byrd, Leslie McAfee, Krystina Preece, and Brian Bussert
Baby Animal Farm

This was the first year for the FFA Baby Animal Farm at the new school. It was a success. We had everything from a horse to a Tangerine Honduran Milk Snake. This year over 700 elementary students went though the Baby Animal Farm.
Yearly Officer Retreat

The current officer team for the 2004-2005 school year will be going on a retreat this summer to plan next year's activities. They will be leaving on Wednesday, June 9th and returning Friday, June 11th. This year we will be going to West Virginia to go camping, hiking and rafting as well as plan next years activities in which they will be serving as chapter officers.

Summer Hour Activities Sign-up

Below is a list of the membes who signed up for the various summer activities that we have planned. Use this as a reminder so you don't forget what activities you committed yourself to.
Cross Mound Park Clean-up

June 17th at 10:00 A.M. at the park

Leah Edgington, Hilary Noll, Cassi Slone , Erika Hardman, June Spires, Trent Strous, Natasha Brigner, Jonathan Johnson, Ben Ball, Dustin Baxter, Jeremy Gozy, Rose Vacheresse, Cortney Collins , Adam Baldwin, Crystal Covell
Tarlton Fire Department Fish Fry

June 24th at 3:00 P.M. of the Firehouse

Leah Edgington, Hilary Noll, Amanda Cassidy, Krystina Preece, Cassi Slone, Travis Westhoven, Lindsey Carpenter, Lacey Price, Erika Hardman, Christine Bussert, Jessica Mason, Kayleigh Brubach, Jeremy Gozy, Rose Vacheresse, Bobbi Edwards, Jennifer Adams
Summer Canoe Trip

July 31st at 8:30A.M. at school

Brad Bowers, Skyler Baldwin, Amanda Cassidy, Leah Edgington, Cassi Slone, Trent Strous, Travis Westhoven, Lindsey Carpenter, Erika Hardman, June Spires, Christine Bussert, Dani Sowers, Tony Smith, Zach Hutchinson, Stacey Sams, Dustin Baxter, Jeremy Gozy, Adam Baldwin, Crystal Covell, Emiley Bolin, Jennifer Adams , Rose Vacheresse, TJ Hines, Adam Roark, Jessica Caisse, Shaelyn Iles, Brittany Manson, Kelsey Johnston, Tylor Roark, Dana Clayton, Megan Underhill, Tiffany Brown, Lacey Price, Rachel Ball, Josh Ayers, Joseph Penhorwood, Chelsea Polt, Holli Arledge, April Senften, Carlos Del Angel
Ohio FFA Center Hosting during the State Fair

August 4th at 8:00 A.M. at school

Crish Alvey, Lindsey Carpenter, Amanda Cassidy, Erika Hardman, Christine Bussert, Stacey Sams, Adam Baldwin, Cortney Collins, Christine Boso, Jessica Caisse, Ashley Lamb, Shaelyn Iles
Summer Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup

August 5th at 11:00A.M. at school

Crish Alvey, Lindsey Carpenter, Trent Strous, Cerene Kilbarger, Lacey Price, Alicia Owen, Tiffany Miller, April Senften, Lindsay Lama, Jessica Mason, Kara Muck, AnnaWaggoner, Bobbi Edwards, Crystal Covell, Adam Baldwin, TJ Hines, Christine Boso, Emiley Bolin, Brittany Miller, Ashley Lamb, Jessica Caisse, Jamie Luck, Samantha Reid, Dana Clayton, Megan Underhill, Tiffany Brown, Brittany Manson, Rachel Ball, Jennifer Fletcher, Ashley Rodgers
Ohio Cattleman Association's Food Booth at the Ohio State Fair

August 6th at 9:30A.M. at school

Jacob Westhoven, Wayne Strickler, Nate Saum, Megan Miller, Crish Alvey, Christina Kazee, Krystina Preece, Amanda Cassidy, Courtney Cox, Lindsey Carpenter, Cerene Kilbarger, Lacey Price, Erika Hardman, Christina Bussert , Jennifer Fletcher, Lindsay Lama
Industry Tour

August 10th at 8:30A.M. at school

Nic White, Alicia Owen, Ashley Hunter, Tiffany Miller, Stacey Sams, Michael Hedrick, Andrea Brumfield, Jennifer Fletcher, Lindsay Lama, Samantha Reid, Jamie Luck, Ashley Lamb, Jessica Caisse, Crish Alvey
School Work Days

In late August you will be contacted

Cassi Slone, June Spires, Stacey Sams, Adam Baldwin, Christine Boso, Emiley Bolin, Adam Roark, Brittany Miller, Jessica Caisse, Ashley Lamb, Kelsey Johnston, April Senften , Jessica Mason, Brittany Manson, Nic White, Samantha Reid