ECHS Celebrates FFA Week With Multiple Hands-on Activities: Local Members Earn Accolades

County Clerk Kevin Alexander joined FFA Officers during National FFA Week.

Peytin Manor, story and photos:
During February 21st-28th,  Edmonson County FFA, along with thousands of chapters across the country celebrated National FFA Week. Annually, National FFA Week showcases the organization’s commitment to building leadership skills, encouraging personal development, and preparing students for successful careers through agricultural education. ECHS FFA has historically participated in FFA Week through school-wide dress-up days and hallway decorating activities; however, this year marked a new chapter in FFA Week tradition as attended the Spencer County invitational, hosted their annual Greenhand Degree Ceremony and Chapter Degree Ceremony, an eighth-grade teamwork and communications workshop for the first time in chapter history, and invited guest speaker, Kevin Alexander, to speak about the importance of ag tags.

Edmonson County kicked off FFA Week at the Spencer County Invitational on February 21st. Members competed in the Parliamentary Procedures and Public Speaking competitions to prepare for the regional competition on March 17th. The Parliamentary Procedures team placed 3rd at the event. The team consisted of Addison Miller, Peytin Manor, Ben Haberman, Keylee Jurisich, Robert Keith, Holly Simmons, and Jackson Haberman.

The Greenhand Ceremony was held on February 26th, where seventeen ECHS FFA members were recognized for receiving their Greenhand FFA Degree. The qualifications to hold this degree are as follows: students must be enrolled in an agricultural education course, possess satisfactory plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program, demonstrate knowledge of FFA history and the local chapter’s constitution and bylaws, have access to an official FFA manual, learn and explain the FFA Creed, Salute, Motto, and Mission Statement, as well as possessing an understanding of proper use of the FFA jacket and the Code of Ethics. The following members received their Greenhand Degree: Savanna Decker, Mollie Durbin, Karman Eckart, Harper Ferguson, Charity Garrett, Kady Hardin, LeeAnn Higgs, Jayden Jones, Chyanne Kinthytt, Macy Miller, Macy Treece, Kadyne Wells, Brylee Goins, Bentley Davis, Hunter Avery, and Jackson Priddy. 

​

The annual Chapter Degree Ceremony was held during the monthly chapter meeting on February 27th, where nine members were recognized for receiving their Chapter FFA Degree. This degree is the highest degree a chapter can bestow upon its members. The qualifications to hold this degree are as follows: completing 180 hours of agriculture instruction, maintaining an active SAE program by earning/investing or working 45 hours, leading a 15-minute discussion, understanding at least five parliamentary procedures, and 10 hours of community service. The following members received their Chapter FFA Degree: Jackson Haberman, Robert Keith, Callie Potter, Conner Priddy, Autumn Vincent, Bethany Yoakem, Mackenzie Wilkerson, and Kinsley Meredith. 

On February 23rd, seven ECHS members–Holly Simmons, Addison Miller, Mollie Durbin, Peytin Manor, Keylee Jurisich, Robert Keith, and Jackson Haberman–facilitated a teamwork and communications workshop to recruit 8th grade students for their program. During the workshop, the middle school students participated in hands-on activities where they exercised teamwork skills in their groups, critical thinking, communications, and leadership.

Freshmen ECHS FFA member, Mollie Durbin states, “This is my first year in FFA, and National FFA Week was special to me because I got to express myself through dress-up days and learn more about this wonderful organization. I enjoyed my time helping facilitate the middle school workshop, and I was excited to get the opportunity to do things that most freshmen don’t always get the shot at doing.”

Throughout the week’s activities, Edmonson County FFA members not only celebrated the organization’s traditions, but also strengthened their chapter and invested in the future of the program.
​