Page 28 - Dec Banner 2017_Neat

Page 28 December 2017 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Thurmont Middle School Leo Club Catoctin FFA Teams Bring Home

Has Been Busy Awards from National Convention

The Thurmont Courtesy Photo Theresa Dardanell
Middle School Leo
Club has finished a Twenty-two Courtesy Photo
project started last Catoctin High
year by purchasing School (CHS) FFA
supplies for the members, along with
Physical Education FFA Advisor Amy
Department. The Jo Poffenberger,
equipment was attended the National
needed to help FFA convention in
improve the activities Indianapolis, Indiana,
that could be this past October.
conducted in the They returned to CHS
gym. The supplies with multiple awards
will be used by and recognitions.
all the Thurmont Over 67,000 FFA
Middle School (TMS) members from every
students in years to come. state participated in
The club’s Make a Difference Day Project was to help the Cat Recuse in sessions, workshops,
Thurmont. Posters and collection boxes were placed around the school, with and a career expo
a list of supplies that the Cat Recuse needs to help take care of the cats in their during the four-day The Catoctin High School FFA Team
care. event. According to the
On October 31, 2017, the Leo Club sponsored a costume fundraiser. The National FFA website, “The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the
students were asked to make a donation, and in return, they could wear a lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal
costume to school. There are several ideas on the table as to how to use the growth, and career success through agricultural education.”
donations from this event, but no final decision. The Agricultural Marketing team, Maddie Godlove, Carley McGhee, and
The TMS Leo officers for the 2017-2018 school year were installed: Alexis Morgan, earned the bronze award for their presentation on improving a
Brynn Shank—President; Gareth McCullough—Public Relations; Emily lawn care business.
Williams—Vice President; Quinn Law-Knotts—Director; Ana Morlier— The Agriculture Sales team also placed bronze. Team members Robert
Secretary; Ava Molier—Director; Paige Romeril—Treasurer; Abigayle Hahn, Maddie Krantz, Kaleb Mercedes, and Kiah Morgan researched RTVs
Bowley—Director. and developed a sales presentation, based on customer needs.
During November and December, the Leo Club will be helping with the The silver award was presented to the Farm and Agribusiness Management
food drive, taking place in the Thurmont Middle School. Team of Hannah Hartness, Tiffany Lenhart, Megan McIntosh, and Stephanie
Moreland. Using problem-solving skills, the team answered questions about
agricultural businesses.
The Horse Evaluation Team
judged different classes of horses and
presented reasons for their decision.
The team of Tierney Monaghan,
Destiny Snedegar, Mackenzie
Henderson, and Sierra Weatherly
earned the silver award. Weatherly,
who was second in the nation for
horse judging, received special
recognition on the national stage
for her achievement. According to
Poffenberger, “Many FFA members
never get that opportunity.”
Abby Kinnaird won the bronze
for Creed Speaking, a competition in
which participants memorize the FFA
Creed and answer three questions
about how it reflects agricultural life.
Laura Dutton, Jimmy Kempisty, and
Ty Lenhart attended the convention as
Chapter Delegates.
In addition, Stephanie Kennedy,
Nicki Millbourne, and Megan Millison
received the prestigious American FFA
Degree. Catoctin was also recognized
nationally as a two-star chapter of the
FFA.
Poffenberger said, “National FFA
Convention is the superbowl of FFA.
It is the time of year where members
from across our nation come together
to celebrate and showcase all of the
hard work that they have put into
contest, chapter events, and other
activities.”