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.