Students gearing up for FFA Week activities

Two local FFA chapters are gearing up for a week of fun activities — including a friendly rivalry basketball game — to celebrate and raise awareness for the National FFA Organization.

FFA is a student organization for Grades 7-12 who are enrolled in an agriculture class or who are involved in agriculture. The Columbus and Hope FFA chapters have a full schedule of fun planned for National FFA Week, which takes place Saturday through Feb. 25.

One of the week’s highlights will be the Broken Bucket Basketball Game at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 in the fieldhouse gym at Hauser High School, 9273 State Road 9 North, Hope. Students from the Columbus and Hope FFA chapters will compete to take home an old, broken milk bucket, according to Allison Korb, Columbus FFA Advisor. The winners are recorded on the bucket each year and the event dates back to the 1980s, Korb said. The only cost to attend is a canned food item to contribute to the Hope FFA Canstruction Contest.

Other than the big game, the chapter has their own annual traditions scheduled.

Columbus FFA will have its Drive Your Tractor/Truck to School Day on Feb. 24. Students will meet at 7:15 a.m. at the Columbus Bowling Center, 3010 State St., for the tractor-filled parade to Columbus East High School.

Hope FFA will have its pancake breakfast from 6-9 a.m. Feb. 24 in the Hauser auditorium. For $5 community members, students and staff can enjoy a breakfast that includes pancakes, sausage, biscuits and gravy or jelly, milk, juice and coffee.

The week-long, nation-wide tradition began in 1948, according to the FFA website. Each year it’s in February and includes President George Washington’s birthday in recognition of his “legacy as an agriculturist and farmer.”

“It’s a time to share with local, state and national audiences what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day,” Aleesa Dickerson, Hope FFA Advisor, said.

FFA impacts students’ lives by providing opportunities for personal and leadership growth and career success, Indiana FFA State President Jessica Mars said.

“FFA is for any student no matter if they grew up on a farm or in the inner city, or if they want to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher or veterinarian,” Mars said.

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Events Scheduled for Hope’s FFA Week:

Saturday: Chapter members will have a mock contest at Hauser to prepare for the District XI Leadership Contest.

Sunday: Church service at The Ridge, 2800 Bonnell Road, for any FFA member who wishes to attend.

Feb. 20: Greenhand members will celebrate throughout the day and will put the inaugural hand prints on the Greenhand Wall.

Feb. 21: Members wear official dress, take the official 2016-17 chapter picture.

Feb. 22: Pedal tractor races take place at lunch. Annual Broken Bucket Basketball Game against Columbus FFA begins at 6 p.m. at Hauser High School.

Feb. 23: Kiss-A-Pig contest; at lunch, donate to the penny wars to see the winning FFA official kiss the pig.

Feb. 24: Annual pancake breakfast, 6-9 a.m. at the school.

Feb. 25: Hope FFA members end the week with a trip to Perfect North Slopes for a day of skiing and fun.

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Events Scheduled for Columbus’s FFA Week

Sunday: Church with members at 9 a.m. at Columbus First Church of the Nazarene.

Feb. 20: Roll Out of Bed Day; students to wear their nighttime, school appropriate clothes. Movie and Ribeye Night begins at 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 21: Twinnie Tuesday; dress up as twins or pairs (ketchup and mustard, peanut butter and jelly) for the day. Relay Game Night at 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 22: Members wear official dress to school. Annual Broken Bucket Basketball Game at 6 p.m. at Hauser High School.

Feb. 23: Throw Back Thursday; choose an era or decade to represent for the day. Board Game Night at 6 p.m.

Feb. 24: Drive Your Tractor/Truck to School Day.

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