Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Thank you to all who purchased fruit, meat or cookie dough to help our chapter raise funds this year. We hope that the products help add a little Christmas cheer to you and your families.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

-Doniphan West FFA Chapter

Winter CDE Day Results

The Winter CDE Day, which included Poultry, Public Speaking and Ag Mechanics, at Marysville High School on Dec. 14, gave some Doniphan West FFA members a chance to shine.

In Prepared Public Speaking, Aisha Diveley placed first in the Sophomore division with her speech about Free Range Chickens. Prepared speeches must be related to agriculture or FFA and be memorized. Sophomore speeches are required to be 3-5 minutes in length.

Samantha Albers qualified for state competition in Creed Speaking. Samantha placed 2nd overall with her presentation of the FFA Creed. She will represent Doniphan West and the Northeast District at State Convention in Manhattan in June. Luke Rush also represented Doniphan West very well by placing 6th.

In the Extra Freshmen division, Allen Dorrell placed 9th in his room with his speech about breaking show cattle.

Meanwhile in the Ag Mechanics CDE, Keaton Blevins placed 6th in A-Team and Derek Gibson placed 9th in B-Team.

Tanner Veach placed 9th in Poultry.

The Christmas Bureau

Students from Miss Thompson's Ag Mechanics class, along with Mr. Schmitz, helped the Christmas Bureau at the Troy Armory organize Christmas gifts to those in need. These students arranged toys and gifts that had been donated and placed them in boxes for families. The work these students put in will surely create a better Christmas for several families in Doniphan County.

In the Holiday Spirit

Members from the Doniphan West FFA Chapter have braved the cold the last few days to help get Highland ready for the holidays. Students are setting the mood for the upcoming Christmas season by decorating the trees of Degginger Park with prelit metal snowflakes. At the request of the community, FFA members also collected greenery from cedar trees to place in pots and flower beds around town. Coupled with artificial poinsettias, the greenery from these evergreens helps add a nice festive look to town.

Barnwarming

Doniphan West FFA hosted its annual Barnwarming on November 16. Barnwarming is a time for our chapter to host community members for a night of fun, fellowship and fundraising. The evening began with Opening Cermemonies by our FFA officers and a potluck dinner. The festivities then moved out to the ag shop for the introduction of the Beau and Sweetheart candidates, Beau and Sweetheart chores and the Work Auction. Prior to Barnwarming, FFA members chose one boy and one girl from each grade to be the Beau and Sweetheart candidates. The candidates were Freshmen - Samantha Albers and Luke Rush, Sophomores - Maggie Johnson and Jordan Sellers, Juniors - Rachel Rush and Aaron Halling, and Seniors - Mackenzie Cunningham and Nick Johnson. These candidates arrived early to Barnwarming to participate in an interview and take an FFA test. To round off the judging process, these candidates had to complete a variety of chores in front of the Barnwarming audience. When the chores were completed, the judges determined the winners. The winners, which were announced at the end of the Work Auction, were seniors Mackenzie Cunningham and Nick Johnson. The Work Auction began at the conclusion of the chores. The chapter auctioned off 63 FFA members. The minimum bid for each member was $30. Each member will be required to work eight hours for the buyer. The funds raised from the Work Auction will go towards FFA activities.

Thanks to all who came and supported our chapter and congratulations to Nick and Mackenzie, the 2010 Barnwarming Beau and Sweetheart!

Leadership School

On Wednesday, November 10, Doniphan West FFA chapter leaders, along with Greenhand members, attend the Northeast District Leadership School in Holton.

There are two main segments of Leadership School thatmembers may participate in - Rituals and Parliamentary Procedure.

FFA Rituals include the opening and closing ceremonies conducted by chapter officers at meetings, banquets and other official FFA activities. The six traditional chapter officers and all Greenhand FFA members recite these rituals. Members that participate in the Rituals also take an FFA information test. Each member also has a chance to win Master Ritual in his/her part.

Parliamentary Procedure tests a team's ability to effectively run a meeting. Each chapter may have one senior team and Greenhand teams. Each team has a chairperson and five members of the assembly. Senior "Parlaw" members also take a test for this part of the competition.

At the end of the day, scores from Rituals, FFA Information Test and Parliamentary Procedureare added up to determine the rank of the chapters.

Results

Overall Team Rank - 4th
Senior FFA Information:

1st - Mackenzie Cunningham

8th - Aisha Diveley

Senior Rituals Team:

5th - Doniphan West

Senior Parlaw Test:

7th- Josh Van Laar

Senior Parliamentary Procedure Team:

5th - Doniphan West

Greenhand A Division

Overall Team Rank - 4th

Greenhand A FFA Information Test:
4nd - Luke Rush

5th - Jessica Neibling

Greenhand A FFA Rituals Team:

5th - Doniphan West

Greenhand A Parliamentary Procedure Team:

5th - Doniphan West

Greenhand B Division

Overall Team Rank - 2nd
Greenhand B FFA Information Test:
3rd - Ian Bollinger
6th - Madison Smith

Greenhand B Rituals Team:
4th - Doniphan West

Greenhand B Parliamentary Procedure Team:
5th - Doniphan West

Greenhand C Rituals Team:

8th - Doniphan West

Greenhand B/C Master Ritual:
Secretary - Katie Smith

Treasurer - Liz Courtin
Reporter - Jessica Wood

I vant your blood!

The Doniphan West FFA Chapter partnered up with the Community Blood Drive from Kansas City on October 26 to have one of our two annual blood drives.

Our chapter achieved its goal to increase the total number of donors and units with 46 donors. Pryor to the blood drive our members used a calling list to have community members schedule an appointment to donate. Members also placed flyers around the school, on cars and at the college to recruit donors. At the blood drive, FFA members provided donors with sweets after they donated.

Several FFA members and high school students that were 16 years of age or older also helped the community by donating.

The pictures to the right show FFA members Valerie Neibling and Mackenzie Cunningham donating blood.

Infinite Potential

What an amazing week!


Thirteen members from the Doniphan West FFA Chapter ventured from Highland, Kansas to Indianapolis, Indiana last week for the 83rd National FFA Convention. Although this is only my second year teaching this was my eighth National Convention and I can say with 100% of my heart that this was one of the most exciting conventions I have been to. If you read the last two blog posts you would know that D-West had two national proficiency finalists in Brennan Davis and Kayla Schmitz, and that Brennan was named the winner in Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication.


Winning a proficiency award at any level - local to national- is a BIG DEAL. To be named a national finalist is an honor that only 188 FFA members across the nation get to experience each year. 188 out of 523,309 members, or 0.035925%. And of those 188 finalists, there are only 47 that are named winners.



If you see Brennan or Kayla be sure to congratulate them. They both did awesome representing Doniphan West and Kansas at National Convention.


Here's a quick run-down of D-West's time at National Convention


Wednesday -

• Left D-West @ 4:00 a.m.


• Saw Lady Antebellum!

Thursday -

• Opening Session- National Officer Reflections, Challenge from Dr. Larry D. Case (The Coolest Owl EVER); Josh Shipp-Motivational Speaker


• Career Show- Completed intense and super-fun Scavenger Hunt


• Proficiency Luncheon for Mr. Schmitz, Miss T, Kayla and Brennan


• Comedy Sportz - seriously funny

Friday -

• Career Show, finished super-fun Scavenger Hunt


• Student Workshops (1. X Files - The Case of Social Change, 2. Gut Check Time)


• 6th Session - Watched Kayla, Brennan, Mr. Schmitz and Miss T on the Big Screen!


• Brennan TV and Radio interviews


• Intense Lazer Tag and Arcading


• And a goat

Check out the pictures below to see what our members were up to!

-Miss Thompson

Congratulations to Brennan Davis, the 2010 National Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication Proficiency Award WINNER! In this picture Brennan is doing an interview regarding his experience of winning this prestigious award. Check back for more pictures and information.

Tune into RFD-TV at 2:00 pm CST to watch Doniphan West's own National Proficiency finalists Brennan Davis and Kayla Schmitz in the Sixth Session of the 83rd National FFA Convention. This session will unveil the results from their proficiency interviews that took place yesterday. Wish them luck!

The Doniphan West FFA members have been making their rounds in Indianapolis at the 83rd National FFA Convention. Check out a few of the photos taken by Tyler Diveley and Nick Johnson at the Career Show.

Fruit and Meat and Cookie Dough! Oh My!

The Doniphan West FFA Fruit, Meat and Cookie Dough Sales have started. If you are interested in placing an order please send an email to dwestffa@gmail.com.

Click on "Comments" for this post to view the prices.

On the Walnut Plantation

Mr. Schmitz took his Nursery/Landscape class, along with Miss Thompson's Plant and Soil Science class to Bill Foster's Walnut Plantation on Wednesday, Oct. 13. The classes learned about the process of planting and maintaining Black Walnut trees. The Black Walnut trees grown on this plantation are from Purdue University and are genetically superior trees. The trees are being grown for veneer lumber and also for the walnuts. Mr. Foster discussed how important site selection is for growing Black Walnuts. The land must be well-drained to avoid flooding and the trees need to be shielded from strong winds as much as possible.

Pruning the trees in the winter and spring is very important when growing black walnuts because it will eliminate knots in the wood and help the trees grow straight, making them a high-class veneer lumber.

In the picture, Mr. Foster is telling the class about the protecting the trees when they are young. This protective cover will help steer away deer that want rub their antlers. He talked about the importance of keeping the trees safe in the winter by using a thick layer of mulch around the tree and cutting a hole in the cover to create an air flow.

DWest FFA is now mobile! We will send updates throughout our trip to National Convention, so check back soon!

Washington Leadership Conference

Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) is one of the most amazing trips an FFA member could possibly take. KaCee Thompson, Valerie Neibling, and myself along with members from all acossed the United States had the chance to take our leaderhip skills to a whole new level this summer. We got to ride the metro which by my definition is: a super fast train taking you through the streets of D.C. I got the chance to make up the metro dance with a group of friends.
This trip consisted of us staying with 3 other girls we didn't know, being split into a small group of 29 or so, this was your community group, and then into a small travel group of 3. My travel group however became a group of 7.
We also had a night of addressing the needs and our community groups, mine the Lincoln Logs led by Kirby O' Donoghue. This night our groups break down the barriers of being strangers and let in the problems we face to help address the needs we all face, in turn becoming closer. This night also includes writing a letter to yourself to make sure you are following through with a living to serve plan that you create to make the world a better place starting with you, and your needs. We also get gold keys that symbolize a purpose and your potential to do something.
The point of the conference is to develop a purpose that will help serve others and become better people. This is what makes authentic leaders. I have made lifetime memories: Fifth floor will never be forgotten, floor surfing, crazy hair night, just random fun times furthering my leadership skills. This isn't all of WLC I wouldn't be able to desribe it for you because each experience differs from mine.

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

We want to save lives and we need your blood to do it!

Community Blood Drive
Doniphan West High School
Tuesday, October 26, 2010

1:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

D-West hosts district Fall CDE Day

The Doniphan West FFA hosted the Northeast District FFA Fall CDE Day on Oct. 6. The events were held at the Highland Community College Wellness Center and the Highland Community Building. Every Doniphan West FFA member had a chance to participate in an event or help host one. The events that were held that day were Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Nursery/Landscape and Entomology. Miss Thompson coordinated the Dairy Cattle Evaluation contest while Mr. Schmitz was in charge of Nursery/Landscape. Rossville hosted entomology.

The Dairy Cattle Evaluation CDE had 211 participants from 15 schools, with 33 FFA members from Doniphan West participating. The Nursery/Landscape CDE had 79 competitors from seven schools. There were 19 Doniphan West FFA members in this area.

The Dairy Cattle Evaluation CDE includes judging six classes of dairy cows and heifers. Participants must try to correctly place each class of four based on the characteristics of each animal. After these six classes, judgers then present two sets of oral reasons over two classes.

In the Nursery/Landscape CDE, competitors identify an array of plants and tools. They must identify diseases, take a written test and complete a landscape practicum.

Entomology is the study of insects. In this area students will identify insects common to Kansas and take a written test.

D-West Results
Dairy: A-Team - Aisha Diveley, 9th place
N/L: A-Team - Keaton Blevins, 1st; Katherine Rush, 2nd; Ashley Courtin 3rd; Taryn Gibson, 4th; Rachel Keller, 5th; Valerie Neibling, 6th; Nick Johnson, 9th; Lacie Diveley, 10th.
B-Team - Laura Rush, 1st; Rachel Rush, 2nd; Maggie Johnson, 3rd; Michelle Johnson, 4th; Dylan Wood, 6th; Tyler Diveley, 7th; Jessica Pickman, 8th; Kassiday Blevins, 9th;

FFA Officers Present Colors for Veteran's Assembly and Auschwitz Survivor

Three Doniphan West FFA officers had the privilege to present the flags and lead an audience in the Pledge of Allegiance at the local Veteran's Assembly on Oct. 4 at Doniphan West High School. On any other day, this routine, an important part of American traditions, would have seemed normal and perhaps forgotten, but this surely stay with these officers for quite some time.

This Veteran's Assembly, which recognized area military veterans, was keynoted by Benny Hochman, a Poland native who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. Hochman told the audience about his life before the Nazi's invaded his hometown in Poland. He conveyed horrific and vivid stories about fighting for his life while he was a prisoner at the concentration camps. He moved the audience to tears with the memory of losing his brother and watching countless other prisoners lose their lives. Hochman spoke with sincere gratitude toward the local Veteran's that were present when he recounted the day the United States military rescued him.

In the Classroom

Miss Thompson's Animal Science class took advantage of the nice weather and put their artistic abilities to the test. The class, which has been studying dairy cattle evaluation, decorated the sidewalks around the ag building by drawing and labeling the parts of a cow.





Meanwhile, Mr. Schmitz's Ag Structures class has put the hammer down to finish a chicken coop. The class focuses mainly building wood projects.

Greenhand Conference

Students from Mr. Schmitz's and Miss Thompson's AgriScience classes attended the Northeast District Greenhand Conference in St. Mary's on Sept. 22. These students participated in workshops facilitated by district, state and national officers and agricultural educators. The greenhands also took an FFA information test in which Jessica Neibling placed 3rd overall out of nearly 350 students.

FFA Tailgate

Doniphan West FFA hosted its annual Tailgate fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 17 at the South Campus. The Tailgate coincided with the DWHS football home-opener against Atchison County Community High School. Although the football team did not fair as well, the FFA had a great start to the year. The meal for the evening included hamburgers, homemade french fries, baked beans, coleslaw and cookies. With the help of all of our FFA members and some generous parents and community members, the chapter will have the means to help fund FFA activities throughout the year.

Keaton Blevins Explains CDE's

CDEs stand for Career Devlopment Events. These are a major part of the FFA. They help to train students for skills they may need when they join the work force. Students prepare for many weeks for these events. Most contests are an identification type that include some kind of a written exam as well. For example: One of my favorite contests is the nursery and landscape. This contest includes around seventy plants to identify, a written test, and a landscape drawing interpretation.

A list of Career Development Events offered in the Northeast District are:

-Ag Communications

-Ag Issues

-Ag Mechanics

-Ag Sales

-Creed Speaking

-Dairy Cattle Evaluation

-Dairy Foods

-Extemporaneous Public Speaking

-Floriculture

-Food Science

-Horse Evaluation

-Job Interview

-Livestock Evaluation

-Meats

-Nursery/Landscape

-Parliamentary Procedure

-Poultry Evaluation

-Public Speaking

Getting to Know the Officers

The 2010-2011 FFA officers have taken a few minutes out of their busy schedule to write down a few things you might not know about them.

Click here to learn more about our D-West Officer team.

An exciting and busy summer for D-West FFA

This summer was very eventful for our FFA chapter. We attended state convention as we do every year, but this year we walked away with more hardware. There were seven individuals that achieved their state degree. Those members receiving their state degree were Robyn Boos, Brennan Davis, Nick Johnson, Lindsay Libel, Kayla Schmitz, Chris Simmons and Josh Van Laar.

Kayla Schmitz also won Kansas State Star in Agribusiness for the work she has done with her turfgrass SAE, Schmitz Lawn Care.

Kayla Schmitz and Lisa Scholz received FFA scholarships and Jacob Simmons won the Kansas Agri-entrepreneurship award.

Additionally, Brennan Davis and Kayla Schmitz each won a state proficiency award.

In the National Chapter competition, our chapter brought home placed in the Silver Division in Community and Chapter Development and a Gold in Student Development.

For the first time in many years we had our Par-Law team qualify for the state competition.

After State convention Mackenzie Cunningham and Valerie Neibling attended Washington Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. with Miss Thompson.

To conclude our summer, our officer team went on a team building trip to the Elk River were we worked on our Program of Activities, canoed, played volleyball and did many other camping related activities.

As you can see, Doniphan West had an exciting and productive summer. As the chapter president, it is my hope that our progress continues into this school year. Be sure to check back often for more updates from the Doniphan West FFA Chapter.

Josh Van Laar
Doniphan West FFA President

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome to the new Doniphan West FFA Chapter blog!

Our 2010-2011 chapter officers will be updating this blog each week throughout the school year. Blog posts will include student accomplishments and highlights from chapter activities.

Be sure to check back often to see what is going on with the D-West FFA!