  |
|
| FFA students take national convention by storm |
|
|
| Wednesday, 04 November 2009 | |
|
Cliff Buchan News Editor One of the best just got better and in a national way. After an outstanding performance at state level competition in April, the Forest Lake FFA Chapter has turned in another outstanding performance — this time at the 82nd annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN. During the national convention Oct. 20-24, the chapter was recognized for having the nation’s top program in the area of government for their efforts with the school’s annual Veteran’s Day celebration. Two teams of students and individuals Katie Miron and Nicki Johnson were also recognized with national honors in Indiana. Best in Nation The best in nation award recognized the chapter’s “outstanding efforts” in promoting community service, the National FFA said in a press release. Each year, FFA Chapter members combine with other school groups and community military organizations for a salute to all veterans on November 11. The Veteran’s Day celebration, which began as a small flag dedication ceremony, has grown to a full high school assembly which includes student and adult speakers, photos of veterans and recognition of school staff who have served in the nation’s armed forces. The program is in sponsorship with VFW Post 4210 and American Legion Post 225 in Forest Lake. The Forest Lake High School Music Department also takes part providing inspirational music. Student speakers are also part of the program which is witnessed by the entire student body. Participants in the Voice of Democracy speech contest are heard. “Service to others is a worthy attribute to instill in the hearts and minds of young people,” said Bob Marzolf, an agriculture teacher, FFA adviser and veteran. “Providing students with opportunities to develop citizenship and recognize the service to others is certainly a goal in our classroom.” For the 2008 program, Marzolf said agriculture students and community partners invested 465 hours organizing the program. In addition to being recognized during the second general session of the National FFA Convention, the chapter received a $2500 grant from Monsanto to continue service learning programs. The chapter is actively engaged in service and learning landscaping projects, food drives fund-raisers for Camp Courage and other activities that promote the welfare of the community, Marzolf said. Student honors Students also brought home high-level awards from the national convention in what Marzolf described as one of the top overall school performances in history. The chapter’s food science team which earned a state championship in April, placed fourth in the nation among 28 other teams. Senior Nicki Johnson, one of four students on the team, was judged first individual in the nation. She received a $600 scholarship from Kraft Foods as a prize. The team also included current senior Kayla Erickson and 2009 graduates Krysta Nelson, now at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Ashley Hansen, now at Gustavus Adolphus College. During two-days of judging, the team tackled a battery of 50 written questions, analyzed health hazard situations portrayed in a series of 10 photographs and handled hands-on projects that included taste testing of products and marketing. Under FFA competitive rules, Johnson and Erickson, as state champions in April in the area of food science, must now select a new area of state competition this year. Katie Miron, a 2009 graduate now at the University of Minnesota, earned a bronze medal in the National Prepared Public Speaking contest. She was one of 48 participants. Miron was a state champion during her senior year last April. The chapter parliamentary procedure six-member team also earned a bronze medal in national competition. The team was second in the state last spring and accepted the national competition alternate bid when the state champion team declined to attend the national convention. Members of the team were: junior Andrew Miron, president; senior Erin Daninger, secretary; and junior Ryan Rehbein, and seniors Kate Plantz, Bailey Schwartz and Sarah Williamson. Social Bookmarking ...       |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|