Cassv i l l e FFA Update W E PU T TH E A G I N SWA G! SPRING/SUMMER 2019
Cassville High School Agriculture Department
2018-2019 FFA President Farewell Address Melody Hampton, 2018-2019 President Six years ago, I knew that I wanted to join the FFA because my dad was in it, and his dad before him. When I joined, I had no idea just how much the FFA could offer to me, and I will forever be grateful for it. The lessons that I learned during my time in the FFA I will forever carry with me. I 'd like to reflect on the FFA motto, and what it has meant to me as an FFA member and President. Learning to Do. Out of all of the classes that I?ve taken in high school, the ones that will serve me no matter what are my ag classes. My favorite example of this is Greenhouse Management. My junior year, I took Greenhouse Management so I had a class with one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Hammerly. I learned so much about managing plants, vegetables, and more during this semester. At the end of the semester, we were able to take what we learned and apply it by serving the community at our greenhouse sale. Doing to Learn. Every year, the FFA Alumni hosts a pancake breakfast. This pancake breakfast has a dual purpose: it teaches members about the meaning of service, and it raises money to give back to the members who gave so much. The members who receive these scholarships follow the FFA motto and have dedicated so much time to our chapter and our community. Earning to Live. In the fall and spring, FFA members spend much of their time selling products to our community. In the fall, we sell fruit and more, while in the spring, we sell strawberries. These products are always enjoyed. I?ll be the first to admit that the fall and spring fruit sales were my least favorite part about being an FFA member, but I also knew that we used the money to pay for trips and activities. Members learn to keep going when the going gets tough which helps them live and prosper. Living to Serve. As members of the FFA, it is our duty and our privilege to participate in service projects. Farmers have the privilege to be stewards of the land, spending their time taking care of our earth. FFA members have the same privilege of spending our time taking care of our school, community, and world. Our members are the first ones to jump in when someone asks for help. One of the old sayings is that an FFA member is always the first to show up and the last to leave. Our members always happen to follow that saying, because we truly live to serve. Throughout this motto, there is a sense of drive, commitment, and determination that I like to refer to as the FFA work ethic. As chapter President this past year, I have seen this FFA work ethic in every member I?ve met, including myself. This is the most hardworking group that I?ve ever met and this group has shaped me into who I am today. I want to take this time to thank each and every one of you who have been a part of our FFA, whether you are a member, an alum, or a community supporter. I would not be who I am today without your support. Former FFA Member and 39th President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter, once said ?Failure is a reality: we all fail at times, and it?s painful when we do. But it?s better to fail while striving for something wonderful, challenging, adventurous, and uncertain than to say, ?I don?t want to try because I may not succeed completely.?? As FFA members, we should all strive to try our hardest, even if we fail, because we can always pick ourselves back up. Thank you for letting me serve as your 2018-2019 FFA President, and I cannot wait to see where the future takes us.
2018-2019 A Year in Review
Pancake Breakfast and Gun Raffle By: Andrew J. Butler, Reporter Our pancake breakfast benefiting the alumni went well, with the assistance of many former FFA members, including former Cassville FFA advisor Mr. Uppena. The gun raff le also went well, with FFA members working to sell tickets to benefit our alumni organization.
Strawberry Sales By: Jade McDonald, Treasurer In the Spring, we have our Strawberry Sale Fundraiser with the Cassville Business Club. This year the FFA made over $1,400 in strawberry sales. This year we would like to recognize the following 3 individuals for Top Sales. First place in sales was AJ Butler with $314 in sales. Second place in sales was Lydia Reynolds with $268 in sales. Third place in sales was Jade McDonald with $264 in sales. We thank everyone who bought strawberries from the FFA members! The profit went towards new equipment for the shop and contest expenses.
Our New Arrivals By Anna Kartman, Secretary Just this past month, on April 23nd, a young flock of chicks entered the Cassville High School Ag department. Just 21 days before, 30 eggs were placed into an incubator. They were kept at a constant temperature of 38* C for 3 weeks. At the end of their incubation period, everyone sat and waited for the eggs to crack. By the end of the day and into the next night 22 of the 30 eggs were successfully fertilized and incubated. During their growing phases, ag classes got the chance to learn about the growing process of chicks. A few lucky classes were even able to candle (flashlight) the eggs, and see the moving growing chick inside. Some of these chicks will make their way to Mrs. Hammerly?s personal coop, while others are available, with parent permission, to take home.
UWP CDEs By: Olivia Adams, Sentinel and Makenzie Wiest, Historian Every spring, FFA members and students across the State get very excited for the Regional and State Career Development Event Competitions. This year we had 5 teams compete at the UW-Platteville Regional Career Development Event. They competed in Agronomy, Dairy Evaluation. Floriculture, Horse Evaluation, and Livestock Evaluation. Each team did very well in their event and should be proud of their accomplishments. The Agronomy team placed 10 out of 17 teams, and consisted of Levi Hampton, who was the top individual on the team, Colin Esser, Lydia Reynolds, and Gavin Thoma. The Dairy Evaluation team placed 29 out of 47 teams, and consisted of Jade McDonald, the top individual on the team, Laura Walker, Anna Kartman, and Brenna Wheeler. The Horse Evaluation team placed 22 out of 49 teams, and consisted of Breanna Donaldson, the top individual on the team, Jaiden Ackerman, Cassidy Hyer-Kemerling, and Omara Myers. The Livestock Evaluation team placed 18 out of 48 teams, and consisted of Allison Ihm, the top individual on the team, Olivia Adams, Makenzie Wiest, and Britney Boxrucker. The Floridulture team consisted of Melody Hampton, the top individual on the team, Kasha Vogt, and Cheyenne Auel.
FFA End of Year Banquet By: Andrew J. Butler, Reporter This year?s FFA Banquet, taking place on April 7, 2019, went well. The current FFA officers were replaced in cordial fashion by the new FFA officers, after a night of celebration of our achievements. Before we announced our achievements, a meal was shared by FFA officers, members, advisors, alumni, parents, and guests. At the end of the night, a new era of the Cassville FFA began, with 9 new officers taking over for the old ones.
UWP Soil Judging Contest By: Levi Hampton, Student Advisor, and Sam I hm, Former Sentinel At this year's UWP soils contest, Cassville's Team A took first out of 33 teams. Cassville brought five teams. The individuals present were AJ Butler, Levi Hampton, Anna Kartman, Jade McDonald, Melody Hampton, Sam Ihm, Colin Esser, Laura Walker, Nick Hampton, Aiden Thoma, Lydia Reynolds, Makenzie Wiest, Britney Boxrucker, Dalton Pojar, Olivia Adams, Ally Ihm, and Kasha Vogt. Levi Hampton, AJ Butler, Anna Kartman, Olivia Adams, Dalton Pojar, and Sam Ihm all placed in the top 20 individuals out of 121 at the contest. Good job to all participants!
Closing By: Breanna Donaldson, 2019-2020 President Congratulations to the 2019-2020 FFA Officer team! President - Breanna Donaldson Vice President - Cassidy Hyer-Kemerling Secretary - Anna Kartman Treasurer - Jade McDonald Reporter - Andrew J. Butler Sentinel - Olivia Adams Parliamentarian - Britney Boxrucker Student Advisor - Levi Hampton Historian - Makenzie Wiest A special thank you to the retiring 2018-2019 FFA Officer team! President - Melody Hampton Vice President - Breanna Donaldson Secretary - Cassidy Hyer-Kemerling Treasurer - Anna Kartman Reporter - Jade McDonald Sentinel - Sam Ihm Parliamentarian - Levi Hampton Student Advisor - Andrew J. Butler Historian - Brenna Wheeler To the upcoming officer team, enjoy this next year. It will be full of lots of amazing trips to many different places. You will make new friends from other FFA chapters along with creating an amazing bond with the other members of your officer team. As a group you will work together to solve problems and grow as leaders. By being on the FFA Officer Team you will gain skills that you will use in your future, and memories that will last forever.