The 2008-2009 Norris FFA Chapter is made up of 90 members, 9 officers, and 2 advisors. The nine officers include: Amanda Docter, President; Madison Lee; Vice President; Brooke Preston, Secretary; Sarah Wieskamp, Treasurer; Amy Fosler, Reporter; Will Devine, Parliamentarian; Kyle Doeschot, Sentinel; Kelsey Gugat, Activity Chair; and Lauren Ganow, Historian.

 

The two advisors are Mr. Doug Malone and Dr. Kristyn Harms. Along with the members, the chapter hopes to have a successful year filled with hard-work and a good time.

During the summer, the FFA Chapter was busy with many activities. The officers attended COLT (Chapter Officer Leadership Training) and learned how to lead the chapter with strong goals and how to be better involved with the community and chapter. On June 18th the FFA Chapter went to the Grand Island Water Park for their meeting and to meet new upcoming classmates.

 

The next week, on the 28th we helped out at the Prairie Land Dairy Days at a local farm. During the Hickman Parade, the members showed off and supported our chapter with a float.  We also helped with the Little Tugger’s Tractor Pull. Through the months of July and August Norris members competed at the Gage and Lancaster County Fair and did very well.

To begin the school year, there was an informative meeting held for new and present members and their parents. FFA members competed at the Nebraska State Fair and many brought back ribbons to show for their efforts. On September 10, we went to and enjoyed the festivities offered at the Husker Harvest Days.

 

On October 16, Norris hosted the Impact Workshop. The Nebraska State FFA officers taught leadership and other skills to the Norris Chapter as well as 12 other chapters.

 

The Norris FFA members did very well at Districts, many of them taking home first place with the opportunity to compete at Nationals October 21-October 24. The members did a phenomenal job in competing at the national level.

The Norris FFA Chapter has been up to a lot already this year but there is much more to come. Next week, we will be contributing to the Toyota Food Drive to help families in our community.

 

We will also be doing Fruit Sales this year to support our chapter. Some of our community services this winter include; Christmas tree pick-up and bell-ringing to raise money for charity. Later in the spring, the chapter will host a “Test Your Well Water Night” and will be preparing for and competing in contests. The Norris FFA is constantly busy, so keep your ears and eyes open for future activities we will be involved in.

 

Megan Rice Earns National Proficiency Award
INDIANAPOLIS – Winners in the National Agricultural Proficiency Awards Pageant were announced on Friday, Oct. 24 at the 81st National FFA Convention. Awards were given in 48 categories.  Megan Rice, of Firth, Nebraska, was awarded the National Dairy Production Placement Proficiency Award. 

 

Being apart of a family tradition motivated Megan Rice to make dairy production her supervised agricultural experience program. The Nebraska resident prepares semen, tests milk, breeds cows and keeps accurate records in her position at Prairieland Dairy.

 

In addition, the Norris FFA member organizes and operates a 10-acre corn maze every fall. She also plans Dairy Fun Day, an event that attracts more than 2,500 visitors to the farm, to learn about the dairy industry. Rice is supported by her parents, Daniel and Brenda, and her FFA advisors, Doug Malone and Kristyn Harms.