Natalie Mask, Chapter Recorder
Contributor
The Madison Creative Arts Academy (MCAA) FFA Chapter has had a busy, but rewarding, school year so far. We have 29 members in our chapter this year, and at the first meeting of the school year, elected the new slate of officers for the 2022-2023 year.
In September, our Chapter Officer team consisting of: Brett Harper (President), Kylee Hutto (Vice President), Kloie Page (Sentinel), Natalee Mask (Reporter), Jacob Churchwell (Treasurer), Sadie Curtis (Secretary) and Clara Pike (Student Advisor) attended the Chapter Officers’ Leadership Training, hosted by the FFA State Officer team. Here they learned team building strategies to assist them in leading chapter members this year. They also received training for their individual leadership offices.
October was the start of competition season. First, six of our student-members participated in a livestock and farm judging event held in Mayo, Fla. The Intermediate team, composed of Harper Bass, Jacob Churchwell and Brett Harper finished in first place, with Jacob Churchwell earning fifth place Overall Highest Individual. Later, in the same month, many of our student-members took the preliminary test for Tool Identification CDE (Career Development Event). We finished in 12th place and qualified for state finals.
In November, we had a visit by our State Area 2 Vice-President, Carleigh Newsom. She spent the morning leading STEM learning stations for various pathways in agriculture and FFA. While she was here, the MCAA FFA Advisor, Jessica Webb, escorted Newsom to the campus of James Madison Preparatory High School for a brief introduction to their FFA Chapter. Upon returning to MCAA, the MCAA FFA Chapter enjoyed a taco-bar luncheon with Newsom before her departure to her next venue.
In December, several student-members participated in the Livestock Evaluation CDE. They also qualified for state finals and the top four team members had the opportunity to attend the state finals event in February. Those students are: Levi Abbott, Bryson Bachari, Jacob Churchwell, and Devin Miller. Later in December, the Tool ID team competed in the state finals event held in Haines City, Fla. While they didn’t finish in the final top five for this event, they still learned a great deal and had a positive experience, learned much and were proud to hear they had one of the overall highest scores on their team practicum wood-working project. The members who participated in state finals Tool ID CDE were: Bryson Bachari, Brett Harper, Benjamin Pitts and Trent Rosenberg.
Another December event was the Sub-District LDE events. These are leadership-based competitive events. Our chapter officer team competed in Opening and Closing Ceremonies (OCC). They placed third overall for that competition. Two other student-members competed in individual LDE events. Reagan Webb, one of our sixth grade members, participated in Prepared Public Speaking, where she had to give a six-minute speech and answer questions on her chosen topic, “Bees.” She finished in second place, which is very commendable. Finally, Sadie Curtis competed in Creed Speaking and earned a blue ribbon for first place. She moved on to compete in the District-level contest on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Aside from competitive events, the chapter most recently assisted the Madison Woman’s Club with decorating the Four Freedoms Park for the holidays. This was done in conjunction with the school’s Junior BETA Club, many of whom are FFA members as well. Additionally, the chapter raised a swine project animal, “Ozzy,” for the North Florida Livestock Show and Sale. We have several student-members who will also be exhibiting their own cattle and swine projects, so be sure to come show your support.
The Madison Creative Arts FFA Chapter is looking forward to much more to come.