Chapter highlights: Grady FFA
Golden, crispy, and impossibly juicy—A Fried chicken feast is the best way to spend some quality time together. At least the Grady FFA Chapter thinks so. Last November, FFA members from Grady spent a day frying up chicken and fries—with apple pie and chocolate cake for dessert. The Grady community comes together to enjoy homemade fried chicken and spend time networking with members. The annual chicken fry is a way for the chapter to show appreciation for the community and for community members to give donations if they wish. “My favorite part about the chicken fry is being able to give back to the community that helps support us and make our FFA program possible,” remarks Chapter Treasurer Gavin West.
Likewise, Grady FFA reciprocates that support back to the community. Last Christmas, Chapter Officers helped put up Christmas decorations for the American Heritage Bank. They dressed the outside of the bank in bright Christmas lights and filled the inside with seasonal wreaths. The chapter-community relationship has to be a two-way street. Chapter Vice President Keleigh Jones emphasizes how important it is for members to be involved in the community, stating, “It was good for the Grady FFA Chapter because it not only helped us gain more support from the community for our chapter but also gave us the chance to give back and support the community that does so much for us.”
Chapter Sentinel Rawley Bone recalls Discovery Camp as one of the most impactful experiences of the last year. Discovery Camp is a series of interactive workshops that first-year members are invited to attend. The camp aims to teach kids a wide array of agriculture and FFA-related topics in hopes of strengthening membership retention. Serving as a group leader, Rawley remembers the exciting conversations he got to have with young members. “I just love telling fun stories so that kids will want to be involved in the future,” he says.
Headed into judging season, Grady FFA stamped their mark as a group of prime judgers, particularly in the Poultry and Horticulture Events. The Poultry team walked home with second place at the State Judging Contest with Horticulture coming in third. Chapter Sentinel Rawley Bone thinks competition is one of the best parts of the organization. “I like being able to fulfill that competitive spirit,” says Rawley. Overall, Grady took 24 kids in 8 contests, a higher-than-average number for the chapter. This year, Grady emphasized involvement from younger members. “It’s important we encourage them to try. More often than not, they will find something they love and continue doing it,” says Chapter Vice President Keleigh Jones.
Grady FFA’s skills aren’t just limited to fried chicken and judging, however. Members Gavin Stielow and Chester Weese have showcased their metal fabrication talent by constructing various art pieces out of an unlikely material—horseshoes. From pumpkins to cows, these horseshoe artworks are a great way for members to demonstrate the skills they have learned in shop class. Featured below are a few of the pieces made by Gavin and Chester.
In the past year, the Grady FFA Chapter has grown stronger and more persistent through their goals for success. Grady FFA has never shied away from its progressive nature. “11 years ago, we had just 17 kids. Today, we have over 40,” says Ag Teacher Mr. Garcia. This growth has only been possible through the continuous reinforcement by the community and the chapter. It’s fitting that when asked one word to describe Grady FFA, the Chapter Officers chose the word “supportive.”