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Mississinawa Valley FFA
Students seek
leadership skills; carry on family traditions
By Kara Jessup
There are many reasons to participate in the Mississinawa Valley FFA,
ranging from the opportunity to play basketball to family tradition.
The Mississinawa Valley Chapter offers a program called the AG ball
team. Kids that are not on the high school basketball team have an
opportunity to play basketball through FFA. The team travels to
different tournaments throughout February. Last year Mississinawa
received second place in two of the tournaments they were in.
Others want to learn the skills they will need as they pursue their
career goals.
“I am in FFA to build leadership and financial skills so one day I can
run my own business” said senior FFA President, Preston Deeter. Preston
has been an active member and leader in FFA since he was in Junior
High. He also shows pigs through the Darke County Swine 4H club.
The club is also involved in many charitable activities.
At the beginning of the year, students bring in their spare change for
the ‘change drive.’ Over a period of time, they accumulate the change
to donate to a local charity.
Towards the end of the year, the chapter holds a dance marathon.
Students have to raise twenty-five dollars to attend. When they are
there, they are not allowed to sit down for five hours. Participants
bring in karaoke, a Wii, and other activities to keep them busy. Last
year a bounce house was set up in the gymnasium. The money that is
raised is donated to Children’s Hospital.
Students are proud of their chapter, with good reason. Three years ago,
Mississinawa Valley’s FFA chapter was ranked 9th in the state. Two
years ago, the chapter was ranked 4th, and last year 13th.
Earlier this year, students sold ham and chicken dinner tickets to
raise money for the chapter. The money that is raised goes to helping
students pay for National and State convention.
In the 2012-2013 school year, MV FFA has 113 active members. Carmen
Hartzell, FFA advisor, encourages students to get involved in many of
the activities throughout the school year.
Tradition also plays a big role in FFA membership…
”I am in FFA because my dad was involved when he was in high school,”
Joe Teeter, a freshman in the MV FFA chapter said. He wants to carry on
the tradition.
Joe has been in the freshmen Greenhand Parliamentary Procedure
Competition and hopes to get more involved as the year goes on.
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