WRITTEN BY: REPORTER, EMILY CORDLE

z A-C FFA Meetingz

On August 23rd, 2011, The Amanda-Clearcreek had their first FFA meeting of the school year. We have over 150 members this year and have close to 70 new members. The Ag challenge was egg toss. It was a battle between the seniors and the freshmen, but the seniors pulled it out! Congrats seniors!

Monthly Chapter Meeting

The next FFA meeting is Monday, September 19th, 2011 at 7 P.M. in the Ag Center building. All members are required to come.

Ag Breakfast

Ag Breakfast was on Friday, September 2nd, 2011 at Tee Jaye’s at 6:15 A.M. Ag breakfast is a time to eat and fellowship with FFA members in our chapter. This year Ag breakfast will be the first Friday of every month. During the summer vacation, there were three Ag breakfasts. The Ag Breakfasts were at Frisch’s, Tee Jaye’s, and Goodwin’s Family Restaurant.

Adopt-a-Highway

On June 23^rd, 2011, our chapter had adopt-a-highway. They cleaned up State Rt.159 starting from Tommy Wayne’s Pizza shop all the way to Oakland. Members pick up trash and they wear orange vests to stand out for safety reasons. The next adopt-a-highway is Thursday, October 6^th, 2011 at 5 P.M. Our chapter officers encourage members to come and participate.

Canoe Trip

On July 1^st, 2011, our chapter had our annual canoe trip on the Hocking River. They got out of the boat, swam, and had a lot of fun. There were 24 members who participated in canoeing. They canoed at the Hocking Hills Canoe Livery at Remples Grove.

Tarlton Fireman’s Fish Fry

Every summer, our chapter helps work the Tarlton Fireman’s Fish Fry. It is a huge fundraiser for the firemen. Members help serve fish and take orders. It is a great way to meet new people and eat fish. The fish fry was June 23rd. Members who participated were Alex Norris, Makala Blackburn, Devan Boyer, Samantha Parsley, Cordell Patterson, Reba Hyme, Sydney Hines, and Jake Genders.

FFA Camp

Our chapter went to the 5^th session of Ohio FFA Camp from July 11th through the 15th at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum in Carrolton, Ohio. Our members had many activities they could do. Some involve swimming, boating, sand volleyball, fishing, rock climbing, trap shooting, bow shooting, paint balling, and more. Members got to meet new people and learn some leadership skills and team building activities. Aaron Miller and Sierra Jepsen were there as State Officers. They helped lead leadership sessions and meet all the new members they would be serving and leading. “At camp, I met a lot of new people and got to see friends I already knew. It was a blast and I encourage everyone to go next year.” ---John Miller

Ohio Leadership Camp

June 24^th through the 27^th. Caitlin Robinson, John Miller, and Emily Cordle went to Ohio Leadership Camp at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum. The camp focuses on how to become a leader and how to be a better one with your local chapter. They did a lot of team building activities and met a lot of new people. OLC was a lot of fun and those attending encourage members to go next summer.

Washington Leadership Conference

Sierra Jepsen and John Miller attended the Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. They toured Washington D.C., toured historical monuments, participated in community service projects, met FFA members from all over the United States, attended numerous leadership sessions, shopped, swam, danced, and had a great experience. Washington Leadership Conference is a 5 day conference where FFA members have the opportunity to see that Nation’s Capitol, and learn valuable skills in the process. They also experience personal growth. The conference is lead by past FFA members who are highly motivational and inspirational. “Washington Leadership Conference taught me a lot about our nation and learned about myself as an individual. I learned life long lessons that will apply in every aspect of my life. I made a lot of new friends that I hope I get to see in the future.” ---John Miller

Officer Retreat

The officer team, their assistants, and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Tilley went on the annual officer retreat at Ace Adventure Center in West Virginia on July 6^th through July 8th. They discussed goals for this school year for our chapter and worked on our chapter’s Program of Activities. They got to white water raft the New River all day on Thursday. They also took a tour of a The Whipple company store from the 1800s.

Trap shoot

On August 5^th, 2011 there was a trap shoot at Mr. Sharp’s house for all FFA members. Members shot trap, fellowship with other members, and ate food. Even though there was low participation by our chapter, Mr. Tilley and Mr. Sharp encourage members to attend the next trap shoot on October 16th at the Green’s residence. Members who went were Katerina Sharp, Katie Krile, Mark Sliker, Aaron Fletcher, Dakota Hawk, Tyler Altizer, and FFA Alumni member Andrea Hollett.

Cross Mound Clean-up

Every summer, our chapter goes to Cross Mound Park and helps clean the park. Members paint, pick up trash, pick up brush, sweep the picnic area, fix fences, etc. This is a great opportunity to help preserve a very unique historical location in our area. Cross Mound cleanup was August 5th. Members were participated were:Alex Norris, Kaylee Rickley, Katie Krile, Michael Conrad, Courtney Boldo, and Adrian Osborn.

Pelotonia Bike Tour

Once again, our chapter participated in helping with the Pelotonia Bike Tour. The bike tour is on it’s 3rd year. Amanda has been the stopping lunch spot for bikers now for 3 years straight. It is a huge event that raises money for cancer research. The Bike tour started in Columbus and went down to Athens. The tour proceeds raised go to cancer research of the James Cancer Center. This year there were over 4,000 riders. The event also raised over $4 million dollars. The State FFA Officers came down and helped our chapter with moving bikes, directing people, cheering on the bikers, etc. It is an all day event! It is a great way to meet the State Officers and bikers, and learn about why they33 were riding in the Bike Tour. This is a huge opportunity for members and a great honor for our community and chapter. Our chapter would like to thank the cross country team and Coach Boyer for helping with the tour, and helping to make it the success it was.

Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, September 7^th, 2011 at 7 P.M. in the cafeteria was the annual chapter Ice Cream Social. This is for freshmen, first year members, and their parents to come and learn more about the FFA. For the returnees, the Ice Cream Social starts at 7:30 P.M. This is a great way of welcoming them into the chapter. Mr. Tilley and Mr. Sharp talked to the parents and the officers talked to the new members about the FFA and all the activities our chapter participates in. Plus, there was ice cream for everyone. Members came, ate ice cream, and socialized or played corn hole or volleyball. It was a great opportunity for the new members to meet other FFA members.