Shawnee FFA in a Nut Shell
The Shawnee FFA was founded on December 5, 1950. Today the chapter is run by Ms. Kayla Riedle, who teaches Introduction to Agriculture, Basic Agricultural Science, Agricultural Mechanics & Technology, Natural Resources/Wildlife Management, Jr. High Science, Exploratory Agriculture and Agricultural Education. In the last couple of years the chapter has had around 35 members, making it the biggest club in our school. As a chapter we host community events including a Ronald McDonald House soda tab collection, an annual farmer feed, canned food and pet food drives, ag in the classroom presentations, and a tractor drive. During National FFA Week we do a variety of activities including making ice cream with elementary students, hosting a petting zoo and equipment drive, balloon release, and a live radio broadcast. We do many fundraisers including our new puffins sale, soy candles, smoking pork butts and ribs, and strawberries. The chapter has received the Gold Chapter rating within the section, a Silver Chapter within the state, a Gold Scrapbook rating, and is part of the $3,000 Foundation Club.
Students may earn a variety of awards including four degrees ranging from Greenhand to American Degrees. Greenhand means the members are first year members. As a member of the Shawnee FFA chapter, members have the opportunity to compete in a wide variety of various Career Development Events (CDE) ranging from Horse Judging, Public Speaking, Horticulture, Agronomy, Agricultural Mechanics and Parliamentary Procedures. There are also a variety of camps, conferences, and conventions members can attend like 212 Conference, Washington Leadership Conference, Illinois FFA Leadership Camp, and State and National Convention. Members can pick and choose what CDEs, conferences, and events they would like to compete in. Our chapter also prides ourselves in outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE). SAEs are individual agricultural related projects that students complete outside of classroom time. Members can pick from 42 proficiency areas from aquaculture, grain production, gardening, small animal care, equine, Ag sales, Ag communications, etc. Members can also earn money by showing their SAE projects, competing in CDES, and by earning scholarships. By being a part of the Shawnee FFA, members gain confidence, leadership, public speaking and team work skills that will be used throughout their high school career and later in life.
Students may earn a variety of awards including four degrees ranging from Greenhand to American Degrees. Greenhand means the members are first year members. As a member of the Shawnee FFA chapter, members have the opportunity to compete in a wide variety of various Career Development Events (CDE) ranging from Horse Judging, Public Speaking, Horticulture, Agronomy, Agricultural Mechanics and Parliamentary Procedures. There are also a variety of camps, conferences, and conventions members can attend like 212 Conference, Washington Leadership Conference, Illinois FFA Leadership Camp, and State and National Convention. Members can pick and choose what CDEs, conferences, and events they would like to compete in. Our chapter also prides ourselves in outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE). SAEs are individual agricultural related projects that students complete outside of classroom time. Members can pick from 42 proficiency areas from aquaculture, grain production, gardening, small animal care, equine, Ag sales, Ag communications, etc. Members can also earn money by showing their SAE projects, competing in CDES, and by earning scholarships. By being a part of the Shawnee FFA, members gain confidence, leadership, public speaking and team work skills that will be used throughout their high school career and later in life.
DuQuoin Farm Yard Follies
On August 31st Shawnee FFA Members traveled to the Du Coin Fair to participate in the Farm Yard Follies. The FFA members that participated include T.J. Kell, Alexis Charles, Chapman Hill, Cory Johnson, Tre Rains, Mickayla Sichling, Kassidy Lyerla, Chance Freeman, Dawson Johnson, Logan Watkins, Gabe Thompson, Brandy Prater, Evan Hudson, Jamie Burton and Katie Charles. While there they participated in many different activities such as backseat driving where you have the driver blindfolded and there is a passenger who is giving them directions throughout a course. Hay bale toss and stack the toss you have to get it up over a bar and, the bale stack is where students would have to take the hay bales from one place to another and put them back in formation of when they first started. The shovel Race is where you have 3 kids from each chapter 2 pullers and then a person to ride on the shovel they go down a track and then when they reach the end they switch and come back. Tarp fold you have to flip the tarp over without anyone falling off of it. Bat race is a relay race you have to run down put your head on a bat and spin and then run back to your team with a bucket full of water. Also there is a water balloon toss and tug of war, you have 8 people on a tug of war team and you cannot exceed 850 lbs. in tug of war our team placed 9th in tug of war.
On August 31st Shawnee FFA Members traveled to the Du Coin Fair to participate in the Farm Yard Follies. The FFA members that participated include T.J. Kell, Alexis Charles, Chapman Hill, Cory Johnson, Tre Rains, Mickayla Sichling, Kassidy Lyerla, Chance Freeman, Dawson Johnson, Logan Watkins, Gabe Thompson, Brandy Prater, Evan Hudson, Jamie Burton and Katie Charles. While there they participated in many different activities such as backseat driving where you have the driver blindfolded and there is a passenger who is giving them directions throughout a course. Hay bale toss and stack the toss you have to get it up over a bar and, the bale stack is where students would have to take the hay bales from one place to another and put them back in formation of when they first started. The shovel Race is where you have 3 kids from each chapter 2 pullers and then a person to ride on the shovel they go down a track and then when they reach the end they switch and come back. Tarp fold you have to flip the tarp over without anyone falling off of it. Bat race is a relay race you have to run down put your head on a bat and spin and then run back to your team with a bucket full of water. Also there is a water balloon toss and tug of war, you have 8 people on a tug of war team and you cannot exceed 850 lbs. in tug of war our team placed 9th in tug of war.
Officer Retreat
Time for the new officers to bond! Officer retreat is a fun way to have the officer team and learn a little something about one another we went camping at Rend Lake. This years officer team includes Colby Kuberski, Hunter Levan, Ben Stantley, Brandy Prater, T.J. Kell, Mickayla Sichling, Abbey Livesay, and Casey Kuberski. During officer retreat the officers worked on POA (Program of activites) set dates for the school year, and created the chapter t-shirt design and came up with ideas for new things for the school year like the ghost accounts. Even though the officers had a lot to do they still had fun. Friday night we went to a Minors game for Ag Night. Saturday consisted of working on POA and having more fun through the day then we went and ate ice cream. After the ice cream we went back to the campsite and we danced and had all kinds of fun activities planned. We played flash light tag and even had a dance going. Sunday was sad we were coming home but it was a good end to the weekend.
Time for the new officers to bond! Officer retreat is a fun way to have the officer team and learn a little something about one another we went camping at Rend Lake. This years officer team includes Colby Kuberski, Hunter Levan, Ben Stantley, Brandy Prater, T.J. Kell, Mickayla Sichling, Abbey Livesay, and Casey Kuberski. During officer retreat the officers worked on POA (Program of activites) set dates for the school year, and created the chapter t-shirt design and came up with ideas for new things for the school year like the ghost accounts. Even though the officers had a lot to do they still had fun. Friday night we went to a Minors game for Ag Night. Saturday consisted of working on POA and having more fun through the day then we went and ate ice cream. After the ice cream we went back to the campsite and we danced and had all kinds of fun activities planned. We played flash light tag and even had a dance going. Sunday was sad we were coming home but it was a good end to the weekend.
Leadership Camp
State Convention
On June 10-12 the Shawnee FFA Chapter had eight members in attendance at the 86th Illinois State FFA Convention. The chapter was awarded the Silver Emblem Chapter Award and the Section 24 Harvest for all winner. During state convention members had time to tour the career show that had local colleges and FFA supporter booths along with many workshops about leadership skills. Austin McAllister retired as the 2013-2014 Section 24 President, served as a delegate, and was recognized for getting his American Degree that he will receive in October during national convention. Allyssa Barnes was awarded the top 10 chapter reporter award, served on the state press corps, and competed in the chapter scrapbook contest along with Colby Kuberski where the chapter was awarded a gold rating. Tommy Whitaker was part of the state chores. Hunter Levan was part of the state band and state talent along with Ben Stanley in a dueling drum performance. Braden Mezo did a live beat boxing performance in the state talent. Colby Kuberski and Brandy Prater served as the chapter’s delegates to elect the 2014-2015 state FFA officers. Kyle Kutak and Allyssa Barnes both received their state degrees. The 2014-2015 Illinois state officer team is President: Cody Morris, Mattoon FFA Chapter, Vice President: Tommy Justison, Hillsboro FFA Chapter, Reporter: Andrew Klein, the Amboy FFA Chapter, Secretary: Renee Kinzinger, New Athens FFA Chapter, and Treasurer: Willow Krumwiede, Pittsfield FFA Chapter.
Cooperative Conference
Hunter Levan, Kyle Kutak, Brandy Prater, and Allyssa Barnes of the Shawnee FFA Chapter attended the Cooperative Youth Conference on June 5-6 at SIU Carbondale. At the conference students learned about the seven cooperative principles through mini sessions put on by the staff. Students then gave a presentation on the principle that they were assigned to do in front of everyone to demonstrate there knowledge of that specific principle. Students even put their knowledge to the test when they went head on in a Coop Quizbowl tournament. Students also had time to swim and play sports at the SIU rec center . At the end of the conference a auction was put on where students could spend their Coop bucks that they received throughout the conference when they interacted by asking and answering questions.
Section 24 FFA Banquet
The annual Section 24 Banquet was held on May 6th at Shawnee High School home to the Section 24 President, Austin McAllister. The Shawnee FFA had five members in attendance. The night began with opening ceremonies and a welcome speech by Shawnee’s very own Superintendent, Mrs. Shelly Clover Hill. During the awards ceremony the chapter was awarded the Gold Emblem Chapter and out of the top ten most active members Tommy Whitaker got 9th, Kyle Kutak 3rd and, Allyssa Barnes 1st. Members at the banquet even got the privilege of voting in the Section 24 constitution. The 2014-2015 section officer team was elected as followed: President - Collin Smith, Pinckneyville FFA, Vice President- Kelsey Smith, Pinckneyville FFA, Secretary- Maria Petrowich, Marion FFA, Treasurer – Kaitlin McWhorter, Cobden FFA, Reporter – Allyssa Barnes, Shawnee FFA, and Sentinel – Brandon Froemling, Trico FFA. As section officers they’ll work together to plain contest and various activities for the sixteen schools with in the section. This year Shawnee had two retiring Section 24 Officers Austin McAllister, Section President and Kyle Kutak Section Secretary. At the end of the banquet closing ceremonies were done by the newly elected officer team.
The annual Section 24 Banquet was held on May 6th at Shawnee High School home to the Section 24 President, Austin McAllister. The Shawnee FFA had five members in attendance. The night began with opening ceremonies and a welcome speech by Shawnee’s very own Superintendent, Mrs. Shelly Clover Hill. During the awards ceremony the chapter was awarded the Gold Emblem Chapter and out of the top ten most active members Tommy Whitaker got 9th, Kyle Kutak 3rd and, Allyssa Barnes 1st. Members at the banquet even got the privilege of voting in the Section 24 constitution. The 2014-2015 section officer team was elected as followed: President - Collin Smith, Pinckneyville FFA, Vice President- Kelsey Smith, Pinckneyville FFA, Secretary- Maria Petrowich, Marion FFA, Treasurer – Kaitlin McWhorter, Cobden FFA, Reporter – Allyssa Barnes, Shawnee FFA, and Sentinel – Brandon Froemling, Trico FFA. As section officers they’ll work together to plain contest and various activities for the sixteen schools with in the section. This year Shawnee had two retiring Section 24 Officers Austin McAllister, Section President and Kyle Kutak Section Secretary. At the end of the banquet closing ceremonies were done by the newly elected officer team.
Chapter FFA Banquet
The annual Shawnee FFA Banquet was held at the high school on May 2nd. The night started out with opening ceremonies and a welcome speech done by Shawnee High School Principle, Mr. Mike Hanson. The night included thirteen members receiving their Greenhand Degree and six members receiving their Chapter Degree. The Honorary Degree was awarded to Shawnee’s fifth grade teacher Mrs. Robert for allowing the FFA to do a variety of activities in her classroom this past year. Outstanding Greenhand was awarded to Abbey Livesay, Star Sophomore Colby Kuberski, Star Junior Allyssa Barnes, and Star Senior was awarded to Billy Davis. Star awards are given to a member from each grade level that has been the most active and has developed the most. Newly chapter officers were installed as followed President– Kyle Kutak, Vice President– Colby Kuberski, Secretary– Braden Mezo, Treasure– Ben Stanley, Reporter– Allyssa Barnes, Sentinel– Hunter Levan, and Historian– Tommy Whitaker. As chapter officers they’ll lead the chapter through meetings and activities. Retiring members include: Billy Davis, Triston Charles, Roger Whitney, Aiden McMahan, and Ian Robertson. The banquet ended with silent auction results and door prizes that numerous business and people have donated. The Shawnee FFA would like to thank everyone who had a part in making this year possible.
The annual Shawnee FFA Banquet was held at the high school on May 2nd. The night started out with opening ceremonies and a welcome speech done by Shawnee High School Principle, Mr. Mike Hanson. The night included thirteen members receiving their Greenhand Degree and six members receiving their Chapter Degree. The Honorary Degree was awarded to Shawnee’s fifth grade teacher Mrs. Robert for allowing the FFA to do a variety of activities in her classroom this past year. Outstanding Greenhand was awarded to Abbey Livesay, Star Sophomore Colby Kuberski, Star Junior Allyssa Barnes, and Star Senior was awarded to Billy Davis. Star awards are given to a member from each grade level that has been the most active and has developed the most. Newly chapter officers were installed as followed President– Kyle Kutak, Vice President– Colby Kuberski, Secretary– Braden Mezo, Treasure– Ben Stanley, Reporter– Allyssa Barnes, Sentinel– Hunter Levan, and Historian– Tommy Whitaker. As chapter officers they’ll lead the chapter through meetings and activities. Retiring members include: Billy Davis, Triston Charles, Roger Whitney, Aiden McMahan, and Ian Robertson. The banquet ended with silent auction results and door prizes that numerous business and people have donated. The Shawnee FFA would like to thank everyone who had a part in making this year possible.