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INDIANA FFA NEWS INDIANA FFA NEWS INDIANA FFA NEWS INDIANA FFA NEWS
SUMMER 2014
By Kayla Hoenert
One Week. Twelve Districts. Seven state officers.
FFA Week 2014
All across the country members, state officers, and national officers had a big task ahead of them: to celebrate and spread the word about agriculture. For the Indiana members, that meant holding breakfasts, luncheons, dress up days, various chapter outings, tractor days, petting zoos, and the list goes on and on. While the members were working hard to make such events a success, we had the privilege to enjoy the products of their toil and hang out with those in attendance. FFA Week was not all fun and games, though. We also presented curriculum to multiple schools throughout the week. Okay, so maybe it was all fun and games. But before we embarked on our journeys of 6,888 miles and 75 schools collectively, our team headed to the State House. Work before play! Monday of FFA Week started with a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann, Indiana Director of Agriculture Ted McKinney, and some of our state staff. Speaking with Lt. Governor and Mr. McKinney always excites me for the
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future of Indiana agriculture. Their support for FFA puts a smile in my heart and makes me want to go out and “DO” right then and there. When our meeting came to a close, we were whisked away to the State Library for lunch with some ISDA staff members as well as a few members from the Lt. Governor’s cabinet. Lastly, we were bustled to the House of Representatives to accept a resolution declaring it Indiana FFA Week (the Senate resolution was accepted the following week at page day). The overwhelming support and kind words from the Representatives was eye-opening and humbling. Indiana FFA members, excellent job building our organization’s reputation all over the state!
Monday night our team began dispersing for the week. Shelby traveled up to Districts I and II. Allie went to Districts II and III. Sarah covered Districts IV and VII. Ethan visited chapters in Districts VIII and IX. Rebekah spent her week in Districts V and VI. Cameron headed south to District X, and I traversed Districts XI and XII. I obviously did not experience the same things my teammates did, but our unique encounters throughout the week are what made each of our FFA Weeks memorable. When we were reunited, our conversations often involved a noteworthy story from FFA Week. Quotes from each officer about their week can be found on our blog at ffaindiana.blogspot.com. Thank you Indiana FFA for the unforgettable FFA Week! For many of us, FFA Week was our favorite part of office to date. We have the members and advisors to thank for all the hard work they put into planning events and spreading the word about Indiana agriculture!
Stars Over Indiana
Keynote Speakers
Jackson Harris
National FFA OFFICER
rict State & Dist ctions Officer Ele
State Offic er Retiring Add resses
Mr. COTY BACK
FORMER INDIANA FFA STAFF MEMBER & NATIONAL FFA OFFICER
Music By th e Indiana FFA Band & Chorus
Over FFA Dance with rs 300 FFA Membe
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Our Advisors made
For that, we say thank you. Mr. Bechman, Mrs. Rapp, Mrs. Keffaber, Mr. McIntire, and Miss Dougherty,
Thank you all for teaching me many valuable lessons. Mr. Bechman, you kept our chapter together through all of our advisor switches. You’re always willing to lend a helping hand, never turn anyone away, and I can always count on you for a late night phone call to answer a random question. Mrs. Rapp, thank you for seeing my potential as a freshman. Mrs. Keffaber, you always have a smile on your face and are so caring. Your guidance while running for a state FFA office meant more to me than you’ll ever know. Mr. McIntire, thank you for bringing the sarcasm to practices and for making them lively. You’ve pushed me to be a stronger leader. Miss Dougherty, I am glad that I was able to work with you throughout my senior year. Your dedication does not go unnoticed. To all of my advisors, thank you for the early morning practices, late nights in the Ag rooms, random life talks, and most importantly for positively impacting my life. I will forever be thankful for each and every one of you!
Forever Grateful, Allie Mr. Wassmer,
If only words could describe our relationship. Whether you were purposely trying to fluster me at parli practices or questioning my intentions of running for district office every day in class, most days I wanted nothing more than to prove you wrong. I now realize that is how you wanted me to feel. So thank you. Thank you for taking the time to really get to know me on a level that my other coaches and mentors did not. Thank you for pushing and challenging me in ways that caused me to push my own limits. Like a coach conditioning his players, you conditioned me mentally to prepare for the challenges I had yet to encounter. I know you will always deny it, but I never would have gotten as far as I have without your influence.
Sincerely, Kayla
Mrs. Wolters, Ms. Bridges, Mr. Linville, and Mr. Swallow, There are not enough words to describe how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to have all of you as advisors. You were always there to push me to do better in every contest I participated in. Even when I did not think I could do something I could always count on your support. Without the help of all of you I know I would not be where I am today. One day I hope I can be half the advisor that you all have been for me. Thank you for everything you do, I am forever blessed and forever grateful. Sincerely, Sarah mr. Noll and Mr. Leu,
Without the guidance of Ron Noll and Ben Leu I’m not be sure where my life would’ve taken me. I just want to say thank you to you both. Thank you for being wonderful role models and advisors who not only talk the talk, but walk the walk in your faith. My gratitude for everything you have done for me could hardly be described with words. We have an innumerable amount of comical moments and have been faced with a few trying circumstances, but thank you for being there for the great laughs and leading me through those seemingly impossible situations. You have left a lasting impact on my life and I could never thank you enough for helping me make my dreams come true.
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Forever Thankful, Rebekah
this year possible. Mr. Douglass and Mr. Tyler, I could never thank you enough for all you’ve done for not only me but many other Riverton Parke FFA members. Douglass it’s safe to say without you I would not be here today. You have a way of pushing us but you know what’s best for us. I have so many great memories of bus rides, ag room fun and countless contest successes and some not so much. Thank you will never do justice. Mr. Tyler, although I only had you for my senior year of high school you always had an ear that was willing to listen to me. You helped me make my decision to become an ag teacher and for that I thank you. Thank you both for being amazing teachers, coaches and role models. Sincerely, Cameron
Mr. VonDielingen, Ms. Davis, & Mrs. Walker, Mr. VonDielingen, you were my advisor for a short year, but I thank you for developing my love for all things Purdue and teaching me how to keep up with college basketball. Early on you developed the values I would need to one day be a FarmHouse Fraternity member like you. More than anything, thank you for being a teacher with a true passion for production agriculture. Ms. Davis, you were around as a friend of our chapter and student teacher long before you became my advisor. Thank you for the friendship we have developed and the endless support you have given me. I can always count on you to come through with any task. You bring enthusiasm to the Scottsburg FFA, and the students love you for it. Mrs. Walker, thank you for changing my life. There is no one person in this world I can see being a better mentor or second mother to me than you. You recognized my potential and never let me settle for anything in life that did not match up to that. Thank you for treating each and every member like they were your own, you have impacted all of our lives. Even though you are no longer teaching, I am grateful for your continued involvement in my life. Sincerely, Ethan Miss Clark, Mrs. O’Farrell, Mrs. Meluch, and Ms. Mullins, I cannot say thank you enough for the impact you all have had on my life. Miss, thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to be the best I could be. Thank you for sparking my passion in FFA. Mrs. O, thank you for always knowing how to put a smile on my face. Your never-ending happiness and love of life are qualities I strive for every day. Mrs. Meluch, thank you for some of the best advice a person could ask for. I am so proud to be called one of your students. Mullins, thank you for being there for me my senior year and throughout my year of service. Thank you for your unyielding support of every one of my crazy pursuits. I don’t know where I would be without the help of you lovely ladies. Thank you for giving me a shoulder to lean on and an ear to talk at, but most importantly, thank you for being amazing teachers, advisors, and role models. With all the love in the world, Shelby
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By Ethan Mcneely
SUMMER CHALLENGE An Unforgetable Time.
Have you ever wanted more outdoor time at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center? Well, here’s your chance! Summer Challenge, sponsored by Dow Agrosciences, gives students the opportunity to enjoy the vast beautiful expanses of the center in ways you may have never thought possible. This camp puts an emphasis on outdoor recreation, and no place does outdoor recreation like the Indiana FFA Leadership Center. You can make memories while sliding down the inflatable water slide into the beautiful five and a half acre lake. You can canoe and paddleboat while basking in the sunshine, and you can hike the various trails. You can also enjoy friendly competition while participating in basketball, volleyball, and gaga ball. With all of these activities and many more, you probably need no additional reason to come.
If you do need additional persuasion, there will also be opportunities to participate in sessions about areas of agriculture, leadership, and service. Summer Challenge will create a great opportunity to bond with the 2014-2015 Indiana FFA State Officer Team and enjoy time with some of the past state officers as well. 20132014 National Western Region Vice President, Jason Wetzler, will also be participating in Summer Challenge this year! There will be plenty of opportunity to attend this camp since it is held twice: once on July 7-10 and again July 21-24. Do not miss out on the opportunity to make friends, have fun, and become an enhanced leader this summer and register early for Summer Challenge!
GET YOUR FFA LICENSE PLATE TODAY! BY Cameron Frazier
“In all of my interactions I have grown as a professional. I have not been looking out for my best interests, but the interests of all programs in the state of Indiana and all students who walk in an agriculture classroom.”
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FFA members, Alumni and supporters! Want a way to help out the Indiana FFA and add a little something to your ride? Next time you visit your BMV ask about an FFA Plate. The additional cost of $40 which includes vehicle registration fees and taxes, $15 goes directly to the Indiana FFA Foundation and the License Plate Scholarship Program for FFA Members. Stop by the BMV and get yours today!
As always, the month of August is a time for fun in the sun and for showing off your best work at the Indiana State Fair. The State Fair has so many opportunities for you to get involved around the fairgrounds, but one opportunity that is unique to FFA members is working in the FFA Pavilion. As one of the largest buildings on the fairgrounds, the Indiana FFA Pavilion attracts thousands of Hoosiers each year. Boasting a free 18-hole putt-putt course, kids corner, indoor playground, and petting zoo, the pavilion is one of the best deals on the grounds, and a fantastic opportunity for us to spread the word of FFA. Having so many people come to see us at the pavilion doesn’t come without work. The two weeks before the fair are dedicated completely to setting up and making it better than ever. Each district has their own work day, where you and your chapter can come help set up and make some great memories. Not only will you get bonding time with your chapter but you’ll get the opportunity to meet other members from your area. Also, over the course of the State Fair there are Experience Work days were you and your chapter can come down and work in the pavilion. Ask your advisor about working at the State Fair this summer! You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity!
BEFORE
The GREAT
INDIANA
STATE FAIR By SHELBY SIGMAN
After Like the Indiana State Fair? Need some extra cash this summer? Work the Indiana FFA Country Market! BY CAMERON FRAZIER
A fun and easy way to earn extra cash this summer is to work at the Indiana FFA Country Market. The Country Market is a store inside the FFA Pavilion at the State Fairgrounds. During the day you’ll work as a sales associate. In the evening you’ll have the chance to have fun hanging out
with fellow Country Market workers and the State Officers. We promise you’ll love the experience, form new friendships and gain critical life skills. Find the application on the Indiana FFA Association’s Facebook page or at www.indianaffa.org.
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A Year we will never forget.
It’s fitting to begin by saying thank you. Thank you for the countless memories, good times, laughs, and moments as we traveled the state this past year. It has been a pleasure for us to serve, work, and grow with all 10,113 Indiana FFA members. You all have opened our eyes to what members across the state are doing while learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, and living to serve. We are thankful that we have had the chance to meet a great number of you and will forever cherish this year wearing the blue corduroy jacket representing you. Thanks for an incredible year; it was one that we will never forget. Love, The 2013-2014 Indiana FFA State Officer Team Allie, Kayla, Rebekah, Ethan, Cameron, Shelby, and Sarah
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