National FFA Week observed at Meyersdale
The Meyersdale FFA (Future Farmers of America) Chapter is observed National FFA Week, Feb. 20-24, with a series of activities and outreach efforts. Members organized events and activities designed to highlight the importance of FFA — the largest youth organization in the United States of America.
The theme for this week of appreciation was “Go all for Agriculture” and members sponsored a Spirit Week. The daily themes for Spirit Week were Tuesday — PJ Day; Wednesday — Carhartt Day; Thursday — Hat & Boot Day; and Friday — National Wear Blue Day. Blue is the official color of the organization, prominently displayed on the group’s iconic blue jackets.
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Members served their traditional appreciation breakfast to faculty and staff at all three levels of the district during the week’s festivities. The FFA chapter also sponsored a daily trivia contest, with prizes, to students in the high school.
“We are giving out snacks and making a teacher breakfast cart for high, middle and elementary school teachers,” said Madison Dively, Chapter president. “We believe it's important to show that the FFA is everywhere.”
For Bailey Knotts, Chapter secretary, this week is an opportunity to share the passion she has for FFA and the impact the organization has had on her life, both in school and out of school.
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“To me, FFA means everything. I do and go to anything I can for FFA. The importance of FFA means a lot to me. It is close and dear to my heart. I am the third generation in my family to go through Meyersdale FFA,” Knotts said. “I would like to achieve everything I can through everything I do in this amazing organization.”
Knotts said one of the most important aspects of National FFA Week is conveying the important impact of the organization, an impact that goes far beyond farming.
“When people think of FFA they think it's for the farmers. But it is not just for the farmers, it's for everyone. Although most people in FFA show animals or keep records on animals, there are some that keep records on a pet or a garden that they make,” she said.
Meyersdale's is one of 8,995 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S, with more than 850,000 student members.
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This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Meyersdale celebrates National FFA Week
