FFA members bust out in March
<p>Students participate in a team building exercise at a recent FFA "Lock-In" at St. Regis High school. </p>
<p>At a recent Lock-In FFA event at St. Regis High School, student learn team building using a giant spider web made of yarn and PVC pipe.</p>
<p>FFA members at the 86th Annual Montana FFA State Conference in Bozeman held on March 30 until April 2nd.</p>
A team consisting of Jasper, Drobny, Dufresne participated in the State Agricultural Mechanics contest, and the Hill sisters debated and voted on new FFA policies for next year in the delegate sessions. Members also got to show their stuff on the dance floor and attend a hypnotist show. There was also a trade show where students had the opportunity to see a variety of different career opportunities in the agriculture industry. The group also went to the Museum of the Rockies, and the Bozeman Agricultural Research and Teaching Farm.Madison had to complete 25 hours of community service and dedicate 350 hours to her agricultural experience project. Her project was raising and showing steers at the county fair in Superior for 4-H and FFA over the past three years.“It’s the second most prestigious degree you can get,” said Nielsen.At the conference, members participated in several days of workshops, meetings, award ceremonies, and guest speakers including Senator Steve Daines. Over 90 other Montana chapters were in attendance. At the conference, Madison Hill received a State FFA Degree.Next, members were off to the 86th Annual Montana FFA State Conference in Bozeman from March 30 until April 2. Attendees were Madison Hill, Emma Hill, Jacob Jasper, Josh Drobny, Damon Dufresne, Chloe Goss, and Kaitlin Jackson.It was the first time the organization had this type of event and Nielsen said that it was a great success and that they hope to do it again. Another activity was a giant spider web made out of PVC pipes and yarn. There were several holes in the web and teams had to get all their members through the holes without touching the yarn. The kids also did Karaoke, danced, played with Nerf guns, and ate loads of food brought in by each student for a pot luck. “For example, we had teams of six people and they stood on two boards and had to walk together in order to move the boards forward. If the team isn’t coordinated, than it won’t work and you can’t move,” said Nielsen.The event went from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. and included several team building activities. The activities required skills that included good communication, team-work, and cooperation.The FFA Officer team consists of President, Madison Hill; Vice President, Anna Sanford; Treasurer, Emma Hill; Secretary, Nicole Orrison; Reporter Travis Jaquez; Sentinel Jacob Jasper.“It was to promote FFA and have a night of fun in a positive environment,” she said.The members then hosted a “Lock-In” at St. Regis High School on March 25, where they invited other students to join in the fun. FFA advisor, Hollie Nielsen, said that 29 students participated in the event where they played games, and stayed in the gym overnight. Madison Hill, Anna Sanford and Travis Jaquez’s team placed second in Agricultural Communications, and Emma Hill, Nicole Orrison, and Kaitlin Jackson’s team placed ninth. Also, Madison Hill placed third High Individual in Agricultural Communication. On the fourth, members traveled to Cascade Montana for the JAAM State Contest. At JAAM, teams competed in categories including job interview; agriculture issues; agriculture marketing, along with career development events. The St. Regis Future Farmers of America (FFA) youth organization had a busy March. The organization attended the JAAM State Contest, hosted a Lock-In, and attended the State Conference in Bozeman.