Centre chapter observes FFA Week
Centre FFA chapter conducted special activities every day during National FFA Week, Feb. 15-22.
On Monday, members provided ice cream to the entire high school following lunch. Everyone had a choice of chocolate or vanilla and toppings of chocolate syrup and/or crushed sandwich cookies. The ice cream came from the dairy facility at Kansas State University.
Food was the emphasis on Tuesday. A team of six went to the elementary school to present a program to the second grade class on the importance of agriculture as the source of food. The group discussed everyday items made from plant and animal products. They then made pizzas using hamburger buns, hamburger, sauce, and cheese to illustrate that everything comes from agriculture.
Wednesday was HICK day. Students were invited to dress like a HICK, a Highly Intelligent Country Kid. Prizes were awarded for the best dressed.
FFA members served breakfast Thursday to all high school employees.
Eighth graders were recruited for FFA on Friday. Two state FFA officers, Craig Pringle and Sandy Dillon, shared the benefits of being an FFA member and gave tips on how to be a leader in high school. The Centre chapter gave a PowerPoint presentation of National FFA facts and figures. Chapter members enjoyed grilled hamburgers at noon.
A "kiss the pig" contest was held during the week. A jar for each of the three new teachers, the student teacher, and the two new secretaries was placed in the office. The person whose jar had the most money in it by the end of the week had to kiss a piglet in front of the whole school. Industrial arts instructor Ryan Rose received the honor.
Each day students were presented with a "Question of the Day." They put their answers in a box in the office, and correct answers were rewarded.
FFA facts
The National FFA organization was chartered 75 years ago, in 1928. The Centre chapter of Future Farmers of America was established in 1979 and currently has 44 members.
The name "Future Farmers of America" was changed to "FFA" in 1988 to represent the growing diversity of agriculture.
FFA is part of a school's curriculum. It includes classroom instruction, hands-on activities called supervised agricultural experiences, and community involvement.
Two of the three top National FFA executives are employed by the U.S. Department of Education.
Last year, FFA awarded $1.9 million in scholarships.
