FFA Banquet

FFA wrapped up their year with a banquet.  FFA puts on the most organized (and scripted) events you'll ever go to.

Philip got his chapter degree and much to Julia's surprise she became a greenhand.  Philip was not super impressed with Julia's FFA participation (the banquet was "Her first and last time in dress attire" with an eyeroll) but she retired her (borrowed) jacket anyway.

Philip also got Star Member which is top honors for a chapter degree holder.

He's holding his chapter certificate and pin and the red ribbon he earned in Nursery and Landscaping at the State convention.  He knows more about plants than the rest of us and he doesn't even make up plant names when we ask him (usually).

Graduating seniors after retiring their jackets

Top, Philip with the other chapter degree recipients, bottom left Philip and Jamison with their star member and star greenhand awards, middle Julia with her greenhand and member of the month award, oh oops, the last one is Philip's awards repeated.

Congrats on a good year of FFA!

FFA

Philip had a good year of FFA.  He became a Greenhand and won Star Greenhand too.  He competed in saying the FFA pledge, which has a more official name than that but I've forgotten it.  He did a land judging competition too.  He wasn't able to get Intro to Ag in his class schedule so Mr. Heinemann okayed him starting with Plant/Animal science as a freshman. He must have learned a lot because he got 4th place in a horticulture competition which qualified him and his team for the State competition.  (It also means Julia asks him the name of every plant we see- he's started making them up.)  He didn't qualify for finals at State but it was a good experience.  He didn't apply to be an officer this year either but says he will next year.  Also I want to note that at the banquet while enjoying the way the officers recite their jobs and symbols I knew enough that I noticed when one of them accidentally said the wrong part- but to their credit they just kept going like nothing had happened!  My favorite part is the secretary who sits behind the ear of corn and sends correspondence "everywhere that corn grows."

We were teasing Philip he was trying to keep full days of school to a minimum in April.  He missed for track, state FFA, the orthodontist and district music.  He had a pretty good streak of missing class going there for awhile.  *Eye roll

FFA Banquet

Philip was able to do the junior high version of FFA this year.  He gave a speech about ag related resources...I think.  It was awhile ago.

They don't buy their jackets yet when they are in junior high.  The teacher has a stash they borrow from I guess.  I'm all for it because we'd have to buy at least 2 if not 3 over the years for this growing boy.

I cant' remember the name of the award he received.  It was basically participation.

He enjoyed FFA and plans to stay involved.
 

Beginning of the End

Our first end of the year thing was the FFA banquet.  Thomas hung up his jacket.

Apparently he has no white button down shirts he can button the top button on so he wore a school polo.  Snazzy.

These are the seniors!

Congrats on your FFA accomplishments Thomas!

 

FFA Banquet

 After 3 successful years in FFA Samuel passed the presidency on and retired his jacket.

Congrats Samuel!

State FFA

 Samuel received his State degree at State FFA this year.  It was the first time he was able to go to the convention because he wasn't in FFA as a freshman and it was cancelled/virtual because of Covid the last two years.  

He came in first out of hundreds of competetors in Farm management systems and recieved a scholarship which is great...except the scholarship is specifically to CASNR (the UNL ag college) and while Samuel has decided to go to UNL he won't be in ag.  He's majoring in Chemical Engineering.  Great job Samuel anyway!

Samuel has really enjoyed FFA and being president this year.  Congrats on all your hard work!

FFA

Samuel found out he would be an FFA officer back in April.  Normally they have a big banquet in May and what office they got is announced there.  Of course that didn't happen so they've all been wondering for awhile.  Finally they were able to morph the banquet into Officer Installation and Senior Night.

Samuel is excited to be the treasurer, which seems like a logical choice for his office!  He is "stationed at the emblem of Washington" where he will "..keep a record....just as Washington kept his farm accounts carefully and accurately..."  I'm super amused by the FFA Opening Ceremony but I'm not really supposed to be, it's not supposed to be amusing.  Good thing I don't have to go to meetings and suppress my giggles.