January, February, March Edition
Ag Ed Advisory Committee Meets
On March 7th the Holton Ag Ed Advisory Committee met for the second time this spring. A big thanks to the following community members for their valuable input for our program here at Holton High School. 2016-18 Advisory Committee Members are: Jessica Bowser -Chairperson; Roberta Spencer; David Hallauer; Chase Bontrager; and Matt Lowdermilk.
District Star Interviews
On March 6th, Ian McAsey and Eugene Harris traveled to Hiawatha for the NE District Star Interviews. They both were selected as finalists in their respective areas in the district. They interviewed with a committee of 3 people to talk about their SAE programs and what they have learned through those experiences the past 4 years.Ian was named 2017 NE District FFA Star in Agribusiness for his taxidermy business"McAsey and Co Wildlife Studios". He will interview for State Star in April and also be recognized at district banquet and State FFA Convention.
Eugene finished 2nd in the NE District FFA Star in Ag Placement area. The district star was a senior from Doniphan West. Eugene has worked the past 4 years at "Tracy Harris Construction" and has developed a very strong work ethic and a large number of skills through that experience.
Spring Blood Drive
Ag Sales Team Wins District Championship
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| 2017 NE District Champion Ag Sales Team |
In Ag Mechanics our team consisted of Kage Pelton, Andrew Harrison and Riley Shepley. Andrew finished 9th overall in the A Team division. Alex Clark was our lone poultry judger and finished 6th overall.
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| 2017 Ag Mechanics Team - Andrew, Riley and Kage |
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| Alex candles eggs during the interior grading portion of the poultry CDE. |
FFA Week
In honor of the annual FFA Week members participated in celebrations throughout the week February 19-25. Members celebrated by holding activities. Activities included: a cook-out for FFA members and staff members, an outdoor movie night, and an “Ag Olympic Games”. The week wrapped up with a display of 433 elementary safety posters in the Varsity Gym for the final basketball game of the year.
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Roping, Tire Roll, Calf Bottle Flip, Cow Tongue Toss, and Egg Race were all events in which our 2017 Ag Olympians challenged themselves.
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| Brats were served for our AEP cookout meal for FFA week. |
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| 433 Elementary Posters were on display on Feb 25th in the Varsity Gym. |
February Outdoor Movie Night
Holton FFA members enjoyed watching “Guardians of the Galaxy” at the February Movie Night on February 16th. Sixteen members enjoyed a some frito-chili pies followed by the movie. It was a beautiful evening and we watched the movie outside projected on the back wall of the high school. The February Movie Night was just one of the events held to help kick off FFA Week.
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| Outdoor Movie Night in February was a success. |
8th Grade Ag Presentations
Members of the FFA Leadership Team and Greenhand FFA Officers went over to the middle school on February 15th to hold Agriscience presentations for the entire 8th grade class. The future Holton class of 2021 participated in a FFA workshop by our greenhand officers, played Agricultural Jeopardy game, learned out high school opportunities, and took Agricultural Awareness quiz. Thanks to the HMS staff for working with us to come over and visit with the next years freshmen.
District SAE Selection Day
On February 15, 5 members submitted State FFA Degree applications and were approved at the district level. Congratulations to: Brett Bontrager, Alexandra Clark, Eugene Harris, Ian McAsey, and Tel Wittmer. Ian and Eugene were selected as finalists for District Stars and will interview in March for District Star.
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| Proud of our 20 proficiency applications, 4 star books and 5 state degrees. |
We also had 20 students submit district proficiency award applications with 7 members winning district and placing first in their area. District champions include: Andrew Harrison - Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance; Kage Pelton - Ag Mechanics Design and Fabrication; Brett Bontrager - Beef Production; Alexandra Clark - Environmental Science and Natural Resources; Drew Morris - Forest Management and Products; Eugene Harris - Poultry Production; Kortnee VanDonge - Veterinary Science. Each District winner will receive a check for $25 and a plaque at district banquet. We also had 6 students finish second in their areas: Dylan Aeschelman, Alison Marriott, Brett Bontrager, Alexandra Clark, Ian McAsey, Sophia Mellenbruch. Congrats to all of our winners.
Finally, the chapter submitted form 1 of the National Chapter Award and was selected as a district “Superior Chapter”. We can now submit Form 2 on for state level judging later this spring.
February FFA Meeting
On February 14th, 2017, members attended the February Holton FFA meeting. Officer reports were given, both old and new business were discussed, and announcements were read. Members were reminded to post more SAE Selfies as the weather improved. The meeting was adjourned and members enjoyed refreshments.
District Meats Judging
Twelve Holton FFA members competed in the NE District meats judging competition. The competition was held in Easton, KS on February 6th. Holton A Team finished 4th place overall. Jayger Carson finished second in the A division. Holton B Team placed second in the competition. Bridget Kucan placed second in the B division, Jack Gilliland placed sixth in the B division.
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| Our meats judgers did a great job in Easton. |
KSU Ag Ed Speech - 2nd Place Chapter Overall
February 4th, seven FFA members competed in Manhattan, KS at the KSU Ag Ed Speech Competition. As a team Holton placed second out of thirty-six chapters. Freshman Alexys Campbell placed third in her room for FFA Creed Speaking. Senior Tel Wittmer placed fourth in extemporaneous.
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| Our small but mighty group. Labette County finished 1st, Holton 2nd, and Chapman 3rd. Very proud of our speaking team. |
Good Luck to our National FFA Scholarship Applicants
On Feb 1st, 3 seniors and two FFA college students submitted applications for the National FFA Scholarship program. National FFA gives out over 2.2 million dollars in scholarship money each year. Good luck to Alex Clark, Brett Bontrager, Tel Wittmer, Dean Klahr, and Samantha Beauchamp with your applications.
FFA Helps Serve JCLA Meal
On January 28th, 2017, some of the members from the Holton FFA Chapter including Alex Clark, Josh Clark, Quinn Kennedy, Danni Klahr, and our advisor, Alex Bartel helped serve food and drinks to the people that attended the JCLA Meeting/Meal.
Ag Ed Symposium in Newton
Mr. Bartel and Mr. Larison both attended the Ag Ed Symposium in Newton on January 27th. The event his hosted by the Kansas Association of Ag Educators. Our instructors attended workshops, participated in business meetings, and toured Mo-Ridge Manufacturing that makes Grasshopper mowers. Both teachers were selected for an inservice workshop this summer sponsored by Kansas Corn. The chapter also picked up supples to teach a new unit in our freshmen Ag class on ethanol production. The grant from the Kansas Corn group was for $1500 of teaching supplies.
Winter CDE Day
On January 19th, members traveled to Marysville to participate in the NE District Winter CDE Day. Members competed the in public speaking and job interview CDE's at the district level. The chapter placed 3rd overall as a team in the public speaking CDE and had numerous members place top 10 throughout the day.Senior Division: Alex Clark - 8th Place, Tel Wittmer - 9th. Extemporaneous Speaking: Alex Clark was 4th and qualified for State, Tel Wittmer was 9th, Brett Bontrager 10th. Junior Division: Joshua Clark and Sarah Bond both competed. Sophomore Division: Kortnee VanDonge was 2nd and Drew Morris 9th. Freshmen Division - Alexys Campbell was 8th and Bridget Kucan also presented her speech. In FFA Creed Speaking: Cailin Parks was 1st and Qualified for State, Alexys Campbell was 4th. In the Extra Upperclassmen Division: Brenda Ramos was 6th, Kage Pelton was 8th, and Andrew Harrison also competed.
In the Job Interview CDE, Brett Bontrager broke finals in the A Team division and finished 6th for the second year in a row. Alex Clark was 10th in the A Team. Kortnee VanDonge was a medalist in the B Team division.
January FFA Meeting
On January 10, 2017, members attended the January Holton FFA Meeting. Officer reports were given, new business was discussed, no old business, and announcements were read. Membership cards were passed out, and FFA Week Activities, Ag Olympics, Member Cookout and February Movie Night were discussed. The meeting was adjourned and members met with their POA committees.
Local Job Interview CDE
The chapter held a local Job Interview CDE on Monday evening January 9th. Alex Clark, Tel Wittmer, Brett Bontrager and Kortnee VanDonge all came up did a practice job interview with a committee. A big thanks to FFA Alumni, Garrett Holaday and Elaine Chartier for coming in to work with our members.
Upcoming Events:
March 14 - Chapter Meeting during AEP
March 15 - State Band, State Chorus, and State FFA Scholarships Due
March 25 - National Chapter Award Due
March TBD - Officer Applications and Interviews Scheduled for 2017-18
March 31 - Fort Scott Aggie Days Competiton in Fort Scott, Kansas
- Livestock Judging, Veterinary Science, Agronomy, Floriculture, Nursery, Meats Judging, Farm Management and Public Speaking
April 5 - NE District Spring CDE Day at Highland Community College
- Agribusiness Management CDE, Floriculture, and Veterinary Science
April 9 - Holton FFA Chapter Banquet (RSVP to Mr. Larison or on Facebook)
April 12 - Regional Envirothon Competition
April 19 - NE District Livestock Judging and Agronomy CDE’s in Seneca
April 30, May 1 and 2nd - State FFA CDE’s in Manhattan
May 10 - Ag and Water Festival Community Service Project |
| Our safety poster presentation crew did a great job. |
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| On Tuesday, January 31st we did a mini farm safety presentation to every elementary student grades K - 5. These presentations kicked off our 2017 Safety Poster and Elementary Coloring contest in conjunction with the Jackson County Farm Bureau. |
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