September e-Update - Back to School Edition

September E-Update

 Let the crazy begin!

 

  

 

 ***Our apologies for the late release of the September e-Update. We hit a few snags in getting it finished up, so some of the dates and upcoming events have already happened.  We will do better in releasing them more promptly in the future.***

Points Trip

On July 22nd, we took 26 of the top 40 members went to Kansas City. Members went to Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun and then a Royals game that evening. The members picnic before the Royals game in the parking lot. Members received points for activities they participated in over the last year.

Klahr Attends District Officer Conference

On August 10th and 11th Dean Klahr attended District Officer Conference (DOC), held at Rock Springs Ranch, along side his fellow district officers, David Luebcke, President; Tracy Schmitz, Vice President; David Detweiler, Secretary; Sarah Plum, Reporter; Chelsey Figge, Sentinel; and Advisors Craig Lister and Jacque Gabbert. District Officer Teams from all 7 districts in Kansas. During the conference he is and his fellow officers mainly planned for Greenhand conference, bonded as a team and how to work together as a team. Specifically they learned how to lead and take charge of a group successfully and activates for green hand conference.

2013-14 Kick-Off Event: Alumni vs Member Softball Game and Pool Party

We had a GREAT turnout at our kick-off event this year with over 100 members, parents, alumni, and guests. The night was started off with the alumni meeting starting at 5:00 which was followed up with the alumni vs. member softball game and hotdog/brat feed. Member teams were made up of students from Holton, Jackson Heights, Seaman, and Platte City, MO. After a night of home runs, foul balls, and getting out members who wanted to went to the pool party from 9-11. The overall event was a success and a good start for the year.

4 Holton Grads Receive American FFA Degree

Four from the Holton class of 2012, will receive the gold key of the American FFA Degrees this October in Louisville, Kentucky.  Congratulations to Shannon Maxwell, Jacob Yingst, Cortney Schrick (Parry), and Garrett Holaday.  The American Degree is the highest degree that a member can earn.  https://www.ffa.org/documents/degree_ks.pdf 

Holton Receives 3 Star National Gold Recognition

It was an exciting Spring this year for Holton FFA at state convention when the chapter finished 4th in the state in the Triple Crown (National Chapter Award). After submitting the application on to National level competition, we received a national 3 star rating placing Holton in the top 3 percent of all chapters in the entire nation! The chapter will be recognized on state at National FFA Convention.
https://www.ffa.org/documents/nca_stars2013.pdf

Ag Teachers attend Summer Conference

Mr. Larison and Mr. Bartel each attended the Kansas Association of Career and Technical Education (K-ACTE) Summer Conference in Wichita in late July.  They attended inservice and training with Ag Teachers and Career and Technical Education teachers from all over the state.

KAAE Teacher of Teacher Awards for Larison and Bartel

During the annual summer conference, both Holton Ag teachers were recognized by the Kansas Association of Agricultural Educators (KAAE) Teacher of Teacher award.  Mr. Larison was recognized with the "Silver Award" (3 or more former students who are Ag Teachers):  Kim Mitchell - Royal Valley, Calla Jarboe - Flint Hills, and Tiffany Dugan - Westin, Missouri.  Mr. Bartel was recognized with the "Bronze Award" (1 or more former students who are Ag Teachers):  Dugan and Jarboe.

Bartel Recognized for 10 Years of Service

Also at the KAAE awards luncheon, Mr. Bartel was recognized with his 10 years of service pin.  He taught at Frankfort High School before coming to Holton back in 2007. Congratulations to Mr. Bartel for reaching the 10 year milestone!

Larison wins National Teaching Award

In August, Mr. Larison was notified that he is one of 6 National winners in the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Outstanding Teacher Award.  As part of the award program, he and his wife Jennifer will attend the NAAE Convention in Las Vegas in early December.  He was first named the KAAE Outstanding Teacher this summer and nominated on to the national level. The award program is sponsored by Toyota.
http://www.naae.org/awards/2013winners/index.html#OT

August POA Committee Meetings

On August 26, the chapter held the first POA Committee meetings of the year during AEP.  The five different committees all met to start planning for the year and start working together as a group.  The committees are all led by two upperclassmen POA Committee chairs and have an officer serving as a "consultant" on the committee.

This year we dive right back into our Program of Activities (POA) groups. This year we start off fresh though with new leaders as well as new member joining into these. Throughout these groups you will learn of upcoming events as well as help out through activities coming up. Examples of activities you will get to help out in is the biannual blood drive, the coloring contest, and many more. So lets get down to work everyone and have a fun and productive year!

Ag Ed Open House and FFA Parent Night

On August 29th, we hosted our Ag Ed open house and parent night.  This was the first time this event has been held in a number of years and we were very pleased with the turnout.  Over 70 new members and parents came in to tour the facilities and get an orientation to the opportunities in the Ag Ed Department.  In addition, Mr. Bartel also held a parent meeting for students enrolled in the upper level Ag Welding classes.  Thanks to everyone that attended!

Klahr starts Ag Internship Class

This year Darien Klahr, chapter president; attended an Ag Internship class, also known as on the job training (OJT) at the local Holton Coop. She took this opportunity to gain more experience in the agricultural field. Darien goes to the Coop before school around 7:15 every other day and explores the Coop. At the Coop when she works in the store she helps with stocking shelves, helping customers, and making tickets. She also helps in the feed mill and the elevator to develop better understanding of how feed is made. In the feed mill and and the elevator she helps make feed and sort it.

Upcoming Events

• September 18th FFA District Greenhand Conference
• September 24th All school assembly with Kallie Hall (National FFA Secretary)
• September 25th FFA District Fall CDE (Nursery/landscape, Land judging, Entomology)