Tippecanoe Valley High School FFA reaches 70 members

National FFA Week, Feb. 18-25, is always a time to celebrate at Tippecanoe Valley High School. This year’s celebrations may be a little more festive, however, due to a spike in membership after 20 8th graders were welcomed into the chapter, bringing their total to roughly 70.

Another welcome addition has been agriculture teacher Hope Slagle, now in her second year, who commented on the strong foundation being set with the younger members. “They’re going to be experts by the time they get to be juniors and seniors,” she said.

Slagle’s counterpart, Mike Jones, has 23 years of FFA experience, starting at Argos High School. For seven years he has advised Tippy Valley FFA.

“I don’t do a lot of coaching,” said Jones. “Older kids teach younger members about contests and projects. … Freshmen build relationships with seniors who take them under their wing.”

Treasurer Issiac Ramsey, a junior, emphasized the leadership skills this interaction imparts. “Even as a freshman, being around the older kids teaches you how to be a better leader.”

While Ramsey, President Lucas Parson and Vice President Grant Nelson all come from agricultural backgrounds, they agree this leadership component of FFA can also be beneficial for those without such an upbringing.

“It teaches kids responsibility,” said Parson. Having to regularly attend meetings and taking part in chapter activities, he said, helps cultivate skills they will use later in life. “It gives them the ability to do it now, to practice for the real world.” In fact, members are also preparing now for the district leadership contest at Triton High School, which begins in March.

That said, the agriculture element remains strong at TVHS FFA, particularly soils, forestry and livestock judging, in which the chapter has been “very successful in the past,” said Nelson.

According to Parson, who has been a part of three state-winning forestry teams and went to the national contest his sophomore year, Jones deserves some credit for this success in spite of his modesty. “Mr. Jones knows what he is talking about,” he said.

Parsons and the other chapter members are looking forward to FFA week activities, particularly — in Parson’s case — the tractor drive-in on Friday, followed by the FFA breakfast.

FFA week for the TVHS chapter starts on Sunday, Feb. 19, with a visit to Beaver Dam United Methodist Church, followed by a trip to Fort Wayne for an afternoon of laser tag. Members are also planning a pool party on either Monday or Thursday.

On Tuesday, members will visit area elementary schools to make agriculture presentations to second graders.

Wednesday is the FFA community supper and worker auction, one of the chapter’s primary fundraisers for the year along with the fish fry at homecoming and the flower sale, during which FFAers sold 1,000 mums.

At some point during the week, the chapter will also raise money for Helping Hands Food Pantry through the “Kiss a Critter” event when a teacher has to kiss a cow or sheep.

For more information on TVHS FFA activities visit facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054565325608