2008-2009

The

Amanda-Clearcreek FFA 

November Newsletter

 

FFAfact of the month: In 1999 the National FFA Convention was held for the first timein Louisville, Kentucky.

 

 

 * Monthly Chapter Meeting *

           

            Themonthly chapter meeting is on Monday, November 17th, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. in theAg. Center.  Members are requiredto attend and stay until the Ag. Challenge is done.  The Ag. Challenge is the Pizza Eating Contest.  The seniors won the Straw Bale Tosslast meeting.  New point standingsare listed in Mr. Tilley and Mr. SharpÕs room.

* YouÕre Invited to our Hog Roast*

    In the fall of each year, theAmanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter holds it's annual chapter Hog Roast. At the A-CFFA Hog Roast, the chapter provides the roasted hog, drinks and rolls whileevery FFA member and their families are invited to bring a covered dish, withthe freshmen, sophomores, and juniors bringing a dinner item and the seniorsbringing a dessert item. You will also need to bring your own tableservice. 

   Those of you who receive this newsletter who donÕt have a son ordaughter currently in the FFA are also invited to attend our Hog Roast. Bringfriends and a dinner or dessert item (dessert items are preferred as we have asmall senior class).  You will alsoneed your own table service. 

   This is a fun way to participate in a chapter activity by cutting up thehog, setting up the tables, making the drinks, and cleaning up after the hogroast. This is an excellent way to show your parents what the FFA is all aboutand what we do in our organization. The Hog Roast is always an enjoyable socialevent for our chapter members, their families and our communitysupporters.   Please come andenjoy our Hog Roast!

State FFA Officer Leadership Night

    Throughout the year, our FFAChapter hosts a State FFA Officer Leadership Night. Only certain FFA Chaptersare selected to host this activity and our chapter normally is one of them.State FFA Officer Leadership Night is where members of our FFA Chapter andmembers of other area FFA Chapters meet to improve their leadership skills.Members are split into groups with one or two state officers. Members thenparticipate in leadership activities and talk about what ideas they can takeback to their chapter to become a better leader. Members are moved through arotation so that they experience the different workshops that are prepared byeach state officer in attendance. At the end, our chapter provides those inattendance with food and drink. All members are expected to attend!!!

Fruit sale

   This yearÕs fruit sale will consist of the usual fruits we sell.  Each member is asked to set a goal tosell a minimum of ten boxes/baskets of fruit, however members need to sell asmuch fruit as possible.  This isour top fundraiser and in order for our year to run smoothly, we need to sellplenty of fruit.  An importantnotice is that all orders are not pre-pay, there is a pre-pay price and a payupon delivery price.  If you donÕtget asked to buy fruit by a member and would like some, please contact Mr.Sharp or Mr. Tilley; they would be glad to help.  Call 740-969-7384. The sale has been extended to Nov. 13th.  With the deadline fast approaching turn in orders ASAP.  If you have an questions contact Mr.Tilley or Mr. Sharp. 

Chapter Trap Shoot

   Starting in the 1990's, the chapter has sponsored an annual Chapter TrapShoot in the Fall. In recent years, Lonnie and Barb Green have hosted thisevent. This activity provides an opportunity for members to learn about firearmsafety and enjoy testing their accuracy at firing at clay pigeons. Manymembers, their parents and past members normally attend this October activity.Members can just shoot for fun or compete for various door prizes provided bythe chapter, Dawn Miller and Ohio Valley Outdoors. Normally, this activity isheld on a Sunday afternoon and a cookout-style lunch is provided by the chapterand the Greens.  The chapter TrapShoot was at the GreenÕs residence on Sunday, Oct. 12th at 1:00 P.M.   We want to thank the GreenÕs foragain allowing us to have the trap shoot at their home.  It is always a fun, safe event.

National FFA Convention

    TheNational FFA Convention is an annual convention of FFA members from around thenation and abroad. It is the largest youth convention in the world. TheNational FFA Convention was held in Kansas City, Missouri from 1928 to 1998. Itwas held in Louisville, Kentucky from 1999 until 2005. The convention is nowheld in Indianapolis, Indiana. During the National FFA Convention, membersattended many sessions with thousands of other FFA members from all fiftystates plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. During each session, thecurrent national FFA officers will give knowledgeable and inspiring speeches.There are also many guest speakers that will discuss their life experiences aswell as many motivational speakers who will help in motivating you to becomemore active in organizations as well as in life. Some of these speakers includeTerry Bradshaw and Henry Winkler. During the final session, members witnessed the installation of the newnational FFA officers, which is always an exciting time.  This year Hannah Crossen, a past Ohiostate president, was selected the national officer position of Eastern RegionVice-President.

   Also, you have plenty of free time to attend the Career Show. The CareerShow is filled with booths from companies such as: Ford, John Deere, NASA,Dewalt, most state FFA associations, colleges, and many others. During the weekat the National FFA Convention, you may have the opportunity to attend one ofthe convention dances and a music concert hosted by the FFA.  This year we went to Greatimes FamilyFun Park with the Southwest Career Academy FFA, where we had an all-you-can-eatbuffet, ride go-carts, and play arcade games.  We did get to see the Indianapolis ColtsÕ new Lucas OilStadium.  We also went on manytours consisting of: Jungle Jims, Elsbury Greenhouse, Integrity Biofuels tour,and a  Not Just Popcorn factorytour.

  This year our Agricultural Communications team earned the right tocompete in the National contest by winning the state the previous winter forthe second straight year. Jodi Roush earned the right to compete after winning the statefor Extemporaneous Speaking. Jodi earned a Bronze rating at the nationallevel.  She is the onlyperson from our chapter to win state and represent Ohio for any type ofspeaking CDE.  She is also the onlyperson in chapter history to participate in two National CDEs!!Very Rare!!!

   The convention was from Oct. 22nd to Oct. 25th.  The National FFA Convention was a greatexperience that you shouldn't have missed out on!  Members that attended this convention were: Emily Cordle, Josh Cordle,Ryan Davis II, Kyla Drake, Josh Hampshire, Andrea Hollett, Alyssa Jenkins,Cheyenne Jepsen, Ellie Johnson, Tyler Lewis, Tara McCalla, Aaron Miller, JohnMiller, Brad Minnard, Ryan Mundy, Brittany Pinkstock, Chasity Pinkstock, TeranPinkstock, Nick Rader, Jodi Roush, David Sams, Seth Sayre, Nate Seitz, BrittanyStevens, J.D. Stover, Justin Strttmatter, and Aundrea Wymer.

 

*Spotlight*

Agricultural Communications  CDE

            The AgriculturalCommunications team consisting of Alyssa Jenkins, Teran Pinkstock, TaraMcCalla, Ryan Davis II, and Josh Cordle placed 4th in the nation on October24th!!!  The group score is out of 900 pointsand together they only missed 33 points earning 867 points and a goldemblem.  Alyssa placed 8thin the nationreceiving a $500scholarshipand earning a goldrating.  Teran placed 13th also earning a gold rating.  Taraplaced 17threceiving a goldrating.  Ryan placed 50th earning a silver rating, and Josh earned a silver ratingplacing 96th.  There were 33 teams that participatedin this national CDE during the 81st National FFA Convention.  This is an outstanding accomplishment!!!Congratulations to this team on an excellent effort!!!   Participants in the event were asked to attend a pressconference, utilize information gathered in a team activity and completeindividual practicum. Competitors were also tested on their editing and othercommunication skills.  The NationalFFA Agricultural Communications CDE was sponsored by DTN/The Progressive Farmerand The National FFA Foundation. It is one of 23 different national events that use competition toconnect classroom learning and careers. The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers ofAmerica, is a national youth organization of 507, 763 student members- allpreparing for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technologyof agriculture- as a part of 7,439 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, PuertoRico and the Virgin Islands.  TheNational FFA changed its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth anddiversity of agriculture and agricultural education.  The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in thelives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership,personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Holiday Food Drive

    The Holiday Food Drive is aproject between our FFA chapter and the Amanda Fire Department. Our membersdeliver paper bags to residents in Amanda and Stoutsville. The bags have a noteon them that ask people to donate any non-perishable food items. About a weeklater, the FFA members take time pick-up the bags. Later, FFA members deliverthe non-perishable items to the Amanda Township Fire Department. The firedepartment then distributes the food to needy families in the community.  November 20th is the drop-off day andNovember 25th is the pick-up day.