Paulding FFA Happenings: Trapshoot, National Convention & Greenhand Conference
By: Vivienne Myers, Reporter-Paulding FFA
On Saturday, October 25th, seven Paulding FFA members came out to participate in the October trapshoot at the Paulding Fish and Game Center.
This was the second trapshoot of the school year. Troy Zeller with the Paulding Fish and Game club went over safety and the rules of the event with members before they got their equipment on. Contestants grabbed ear plugs, safety glasses, and their firearms to compete in the contest.
At the range, contestants are then separated into different squads where they will rotate through 5 different shooting positions from there on out shooting 25 clays per group. Members competing were Lane Sprow, Chase Dobbelaere, Owen Workman, Remington Boroff, Mackenzie Leatherman, Lily Leatherman, and Harley Troyer. Remington Boroff won the plaque sponsored by our FFA Chapter shooting a 20 our 25 and Lily coming in 2nd with a score of 15 out of 25.
Remington said his favorite part of trapshoot is the thrill you get when you see the clay shatter. His advice to other members is to try and use a gun that you are comfortable using along with the same exact ammo every time and to practice with the same setup you plan to use. After some time, it will become muscle memory and you will know exactly where to lead your targets.
Our next Trapshoot is Nov 15th at 11:30am We would like to thank the Fish and Game Club and its members for all their help and support for the Paulding FFA program.
Paulding FFA Receives National Award at 98th Annual FFA National Convention
By: Darcy Taylor, Paulding FFA Student Advisor
Indianapolis, Indiana was filled with a sea of blue jackets from October 29th through November 1st. Thousands of FFA chapters from across the nation, including 12 Paulding FFA members and their 2 advisors who traveled to Indianapolis for the 98th Annual National FFA Convention. Our members had a busy schedule full of educational and leadership experiences that allowed them to learn more about agriculture and FFA. On October 28th, members departed Paulding HS and had a fun night at Topgolf. After golfing, members headed to their hotel to wind down for the night.
On October 29th, members woke up and headed to Montrose Alpaca Ranch. Members were able to pet and feed the alpacas. Students learned many characteristics and interesting facts about alpacas. From the alpaca tour, the members then traveled to Becks for another tour. This tour taught members how Beck’s provides a variety of different hybrid seeds that farmers all across the country use in their farming operations. They were given a tour of the farm and got to see the seeds were tested for certain germination rates. To end the tour, students received a free t-shirt paid for by an anonymous local farmer to show support for our members as they expand their knowledge about agriculture. Members then went to dinner at Harmony Steak House where Cooper Farms sponsored our members. During dinner members interacted with Cooper employees and shared their experiences about the tours from earlier in the day. From there students got to attend an Ernest and Ella Langley concert before heading back to the hotel for the night.
On October 30th, the members woke up bright and early to attend the 2nd session of the National Convention. Members listened to the keynote speaker A’Ric Jackson, who spoke about confidence and not letting your insecurities get in the way. Students then explored the expo center before the next session started. At the next session of the day, Officers Tori Schlatter and Myrriah Manz walked across the stage for Paulding as we received the prestigious 3-Star National Chapter only 29 chapters in Ohio received this 3-Star Rating . This is the 5th year the chapter has been nationally recognized. Later that evening, members ate dinner at Arni’s which served Italian dishes. After arriving back at the hotel that night, members had a relaxing night playing games in the lobby.
On October 31st, members woke up and attended a tour at Hunter’s Honey Bee Farm. Here, students were able to make their own honey and sample spreads and many different flavored honeys. They learned the products that bees make and what a beekeeper does. From there, members went to Slick city to experience the thrill of slides. Students got to explore various types of slides. For dinner, members went to Binkleys to enjoy tasty food before the Rodeo. The members had front row seats to experience the World’s Toughest Rodeo finals.
On the last day of the National Convention, November 1st, members and advisors were up very early to attend the American Degree Ceremony, where they watched 2 Paulding FFA members walk across the stage to earn their American FFA Degrees, which is the highest FFA degree possible. The two members were Jamy Hunt and Tytus Manz. Four other members also earned their American FFA Degrees that were unable to attend including; Tyler Schlatter, Kobe Foor, Allyson Merriman, and Jocelynn Parrett. The Paulding FFA Chapter is very proud of these six members and their accomplishments. After the ceremony the Paulding FFA headed back to Paulding after a fun-filled week. The Paulding FFA would like to say a special thanks to the Paulding FFA Alumni for their support to the Paulding FFA and its members.
Paulding FFA Members Attend Greenhand Conference
By: Vivienne Myers, Paulding FFA Reporter
On Saturday, October 18th over 370 first-year FFA members from the state of Ohio gathered at Versailles for the annual Greenhand Conference.
Paulding FFA had 6 first year members attend the conference; they were Chase Manz, Kendall Kohart, Elliette Roughton, Luci Martinez, Addy Halter, and Makenna Adams.
At the conference, Greenhand members listened to motivational speaker Emily Mullen. They attended a variety of workshops focused on teamwork, communication, FFA opportunities, leadership, and SAEs. They also participated in a round table event where they learned about different CDEs they could compete in throughout the upcoming school years.
Later, in conversation with Kendall Kohart, she mentioned how she felt that the Greenhand Conference really taught her that the FFA will support her interests and give her sound career advice as she grows in her FFA career throughout high school.
The Ohio FFA State officer team, Versailles FFA officer team, Versailles FFA assistant officers, and many Versailles FFA members led the conference. Thank you to all who helped make the conference a success. Our members really enjoyed it!
