Catoctin FFA Chapter

James Kempisty, Catoctin FFA Chapter Reporter September is here, and with it, comes a new school year at Catoctin High School. I am pleased to announce that at our banquet on May 18, 2017, the Catoctin FFA Chapter elected eleven new officers. The officers are: President Maddie Krantz, Vice President Megan McIntosh, Sentinel Nate Schwartzbeck, Reporter James Kempisty, Treasurer Hannah Hartness, Secretary Sierra Weatherly, Jr. Advisor Abby Kinnard, Parliamentarian Robert Hahn, Historian Alexis Morgan, Chaplain Noah Barth, and Social Media Chair Savannah Stull. Over the Summer, the Catoctin FFA Chapter had teams competing in nine different Career/Leadership Development Events (CDE/LDE). At the 89^th Maryland State FFA Convention at the Maritime Institute, Catoctin had twenty-one members attending and had two teams place first in the state. Catoctin has four teams and one individual representing Maryland at the National FFA Convention in October in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Ag-Marketing team consists of members Carley McGhee, Maddie Godlove, and Alexis Morgan. The Ag-Sales team include members Kaleb Mercedes, Robert Hahn, Maddie Krantz, and Kiah Morgan. The Horse Judging team includes members Mackenzie Henderson, Destiny Snedegar, Sierra Weatherly, and Tierney Monaghan. The Farm Business Management Team consists of members Tiffany Lenhart, Megan McIntosh, Hannah Hartness, and Stephanie Moreland. Abby Kinnard will represent Maryland in the Creed speaking Leadership Development Event. Catoctin was recently recognized by the National FFA Organization as being a two-star chapter, meaning that Catoctin, as a chapter, participates in over fifteen activities throughout the year and goes well above and beyond minimum requirements set for FFA chapters at the national level. We will receive our award at the National FFA Convention. In July, Catoctin’s officers attended the Region 2 Leadership Conference. FFA advisors and past state officers taught many new skills in communication, advocacy, leadership, and officer responsibilities. At the Thurmont parade, Catoctin FFA entered a float with the theme, “Going Hog Wild for the Catoctin FFA,” and was awarded first place for youth entry floats. We participated in the Rocky Ridge parade, too. We are all very thankful for the enormous support the community gives us each and every year, and look forward to an exciting new school year.