Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

FFA Students Rewarded

Memories abounded at the annual Gurdon High School FFA Banquet Wednesday, May 8.

Members of the FFA and their parents gathered in the GHS cafetorium for the event which saw one of their own, Katie McKinnon, as the featured speaker.

McKinnon, who is an officer with the state chapter, encouraged everyone to become alumni members of the FFA.

She said it's important to help those students interested in careers in the field of agriculture, and the organization does have a positive impact on those involved.

However, her overall message was a little different. McKinnon reminded the audience to be aware of what they say and to treat all people equally because, "you never know who is listening or watching."

She said there could be a young, impressionable child nearby who admires the person speaking. Their actions could have an effect on the child's life.

"The little things we do and say are important," she said. "We tend to judge people too harshly, and never realize their potential. We don't see what lies beneath the surface."

McKinnon praised her parents for raising her and her sister in a home where equality is taught. "I try to think about what I'm saying," she told the audience, but admitted it doesn't always happen.

"It's unfortunate human nature has turned us the way it has," she said. "If we all look at the world positively, things will turn out for the best.

"It's time for us to pull together and accomplish our goals."

McKinnon said the FFA helps young people learn to work together, as well as building leadership skills.

People recognize the FFA jacket all across the nation, she said.

As McKinnon prepared to take her seat after speaking, Stacy Stone, GHS FFA instructor, presented her with a little surprise -- a $1,000 scholarship from the national chapter of the FFA.

This scholarship, he said, was one of only 850 given in the U.S.

Turning his attention to his students, though, Stone said, "They're a good group of kids. They have pretty good grades and tend to stay out of trouble."

He, too, said the FFA is an excellent youth program because of what those involved learn.

This year, however, some of the members ventured into a new and different area than in years past. Stone said because of the FFA's show program, some students went into the area of production and breeding.

Time will tell how successful these students will be.

Stone told the audience this year's group may not have been as successful as last year's teams, but this is because of the level of competition in the area.

He said 80 percent of the honors won in FFA competition went to teams from Southwest Arkansas.

The agricultural mechanics class was also adversely affected by the move from the old GHS to the new facility at mid-year. Because of the move, Stone said, the shop wasn't completely set up and operational.

The crops team, though, finished third in the GHS-sponsored contest and fourth in the district. The meats team was fifth in district and eighth in state. The forestry team was seventh in the district after being in the top five in most of its contests.

Marc Crawley, reporter, said the group's parliamentary procedure team finished fourth in 1995.

September, he said, saw Gurdon students possess the grand champion steer and market reserve hog at the Clark County Fair.

First year members received their green hand awards, while Katie Garner was lauded as the free speech champion for the FFA.

Ashley Goodman took home star green hand honors.

Debbie Jackson was presented the star chapter farmer award.

Autumn Leamons went home with the DeKalb Genetics Award, which is bestowed on senior members of the FFA.

Those on the show teams for hogs, lambs and cattle, as well as those in the agri mechanics team, crops team, meats team, forestry and land team, were given their awards as well.

The audience was entertained by the vocal talents of Mark Cagle and LeAndra Jester, while Jester also performed a solo.

As the banquet drew to a close, officers were installed for 1996-97. Next year's president will be Debbie Jackson. Crawley will be vice president; Paul McMillian, secretary; Leah Lynn, treasurer; Lori Thomas, reporter; Andrea Smithpeters, sentinel; and Cagle, junior advisor.