Mountain Lake Area FFA Chapter celebrates national group’s special week
FFA is a national organization that makes a difference in students’ lives through agricultural education to develop premier leadership, personal growth and career success. It impacts the lives of students by giving them opportunities to travel, meet new people and gain leadership skills. Hands-on learning is also a huge part of FFA, because it provides students with real-life experiences and learning through CDEs (Career Development Events) and SAEs (Supervised Agricultural Experiences). Career Development Events are competitions that cover a variety of job skills through tests and identification. Supervised Agricultural Experiences are jobs in which each member learns agricultural experiences that better him/herself.
During National FFA Week 2017 – February Saturday, 18 to Saturday, February 25 – FFA members seek to advocate and educate on behalf of the organization and to increase the group’s growing number of participants. This year’s theme – Transform Purpose to Action. The Mountain Lake Area FFA Chapter is celebrating the week with a variety of in-school activities.
The week-long tradition began in 1947 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week in recognition of Washington’s legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. The first National FFA Week was held in 1948. Today, FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Washington’s birthday on February 22.
National FFA Week did not start out as a week-long event. At first it was National FFA Day. The 1933 National FFA Convention Proceedings records the beginning of FFA Day in this way: “Stewart of Montana requested the floor at this time to present a matter of general interest. He suggested the idea of having a special Future Farmer Day some time during 1934, preferably on one of the regular national FFA broadcasting days. It was pointed out that the various state associations could perhaps plan special state broadcasts also on that day and that chapters might plan their father and son banquets on the date specified. The idea seemed to meet with general delegate approval and after some discussion it was moved by Stewart that the Board of Trustees arrange for such a day; motion passed.”
Mountain Lake Area FFA Senior Chapter Officers include Liana Blomgren, Rebekah Klassen, Kenna Gardiner, Katherine Hofmann, Sam Grev, Nathan Regier, Ruben Fentanez and Michael Watkins. FFA Co-Advisors include Stephen Funk, Lindsey Brown and Hayley Faber.
Shares junior Weston Osland abouto his FFA experience, “FFA has improved my leadership skills through the Fish and Wildlife CDE. It has made me more responsible for studying and doing well to support the team. FFA has also given me more opportunities that I would have not received if I was not involved, such as going to state, trap shooting and visiting college campuses. Being a member also helps for applications and resumes.”
Senior Aaron Fast states, “FFA has given me many opportunities that I wouldn’t normally get. It has also brought me to different places and other districts; and has taught me many skills. It is also fun and exciting to meet new people.”
“FFA helps me to be involved in intra curricular activities, helped me to make friends, and improve my knowledge. I appreciate all the experiences that I’ve been able to have because of FFA, such as traveling and competitions. It has taught me study skills and dedication, not for just my CDE, but also for classes and other goals,” lays out sophomore Kyla Perkins.
Adds freshman Paton Buller, “Being in FFA has given me a place. I feel like I am a part of something; and I have more confidence because of FFA. I have also be given many opportunities and fun experiences through this organization.”
