Last week, southern Illinois high schools traded every day routines for a week of advocacy, appreciation and organized fun to participate in National FFA Week.
Since 1948, schools have been celebrating National FFA Week with recognition for George Washington’s legacy as the father of America and an extensive agriculturalist. The National FFA Board describes this week of celebration as “a time for FFA members to host activities that raise awareness about the role the FFA plays in the development of agriculture’s future leaders and the importance of agricultural education.”
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Local FFA chapters from Carbondale, Du Quoin and Anna-Jonesboro highlighted and celebrated the agricultural organization.
Michelle Buchheit advised the Carbondale FFA Officers in planning their week around advocacy. The themes for each day sourced around wellness and need. On Monday, Feb. 23, the chapter supported the mental health of their staff and students by inviting their counseling and social work department to interact with the students throughout the day. They provided coloring sheets and sensory stickers along with having someone to confide in.
One student, Ame Heath, shared her perspective on the importance of advocating for mental health within agriculture.
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“Mental health is very important because we have to protect our farmers,” Heath said. We have to protect people that are involved with agriculture, especially in mental health, because it is just not as talked about as physical health. Especially in situations where stereotypically there’s this false idea that you have to be rough and tough in agriculture; you can’t talk to anyone, you gotta get the job done, you gotta get the beans planted, it doesn’t matter what you feel.”
The rest of their week was followed by Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday, Bee Day on Wednesday, Keep Carbondale Beautiful partnership on Thursday and Hunger Action Day on Friday.
Advisors of the Du Quoin FFA Chapter, Ann Pertrowski and Sarah McKinnies, helped the officers in planning a day of service outside of school hours to get involved in their community. On Wednesday, Feb. 25, members from the chapter visited residents of Du Quoin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The members aided the residents in crafting spring themed door-hangs and socialized with them, connecting the elderly and youth.
Chapter reporter and FFA officer Reese DeHart shared her mindset behind getting involved with the community during National FFA Week.
“We knew that it would be a good idea to reach out to the older members of the community and build connections with them and get them involved with the FFA. It’s important for us to be connected to our community,” DeHart said.
The chapter began their week with Camo Day on Monday and an elementary Meet and Greet on Tuesday. They closed out their week with Dynamic Duos on Thursday with a schoolwide rock, paper, scissors competition, and a “Student Teacher Feed” on Friday with a traditional fishfry.
Anna-Jonesboro FFA Chapter Officers flew solo on planning their week of celebration around their school’s traditions from previous years. Their advisor, Dalton Browning, let the young leaders play the role they have been learning and put all faith into their planning. Friday, Feb. 27. he stepped in to find a local farmer willing to provide a piglet for their Kiss the Pig fundraiser.
Several teachers from Anna-Jonesboro High School agreed to be candidates for the fundraiser contest. Throughout the week students would put money in the jar for their teacher of choice. The teacher who had the most money in their jar by Friday had to kiss the week old piglet in front of the student body. All proceeds donated went to funding the chapter to attend upcoming contests, conferences and conventions.
Chapter Reporter, Addison Bonner, presented the piglet to the winning teacher. The new band and choir director of Anna-Jonesboro, Ashley Followell, won the contest. The students erupted in cheers seeing their favorite teacher be initiated and kiss the adorable piglet.
Followell did not originally plan to participate, but failed to opt-out of the contest and decided to join the fun anyways.
“I’m a first year teacher here, I’m building that legend of myself a little bit of, yes, this is the band director who is not going to be squeamish, not gonna be caught off balance. I just take things and roll with it,” Followell said.
The chapter began their week with Camo Day, and a cornhole tournament that would last throughout the week where the winners played against each other on Friday for the final victory. On Tuesday, the students and teachers swapped outfits and dress as one another, and a three day long scavenger hunt would ensue around town. Wednesday, the students dressed up for Farmers Day Off and sported their pajamas at school if they paid a dollar. Thursdays’ Thank a Farmer Day had students dress as farmers or their future career to conclude their week until the main events that were hosted on Friday.
Staff reporter Carmen J. Tapley can be reached at [email protected].
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