LETTERS: Celebrate FFA Week
To the Editor:
February 17-22, 2003, the Peabody-Burns FFA chapter celebrated National FFA Week. This is the 75th year of existence for FFA. The theme for this year's celebrations was "One Mission: Student Success."
We began planning National FFA Week several months ago. Our mission was to conduct an activity for each day of the week. Monday, members drove farm implements to school in support of American Agriculture. Tuesday, members served lunch to FFA alumni, the school administration, and school board members. Our guest speaker for the event was Sam Atherton, Kansas FFA alumni director and National FFA alumni board member. He spoke of the importance of the FFA Chapter and of the support needed by the alumni members.
Now to the reason I am writing this letter. On Tuesday evening I experienced a kidney stone and spent the evening in the hospital.
On Wednesday morning I sent my husband to the school at 5:45 a.m. so that he could let my students in to start cooking the Appreciation Breakfast. I would like to relay what my husband experienced.
He found a group of FFA members ready to go. They had already found the custodian and gotten in to start the grill. He also saw a group of alumni members jump in and help wherever needed. The students served around 50 people that morning.
Although they may not have exactly measured the pancake mix and water, or known how to make a large batch of coffee, they rolled up their sleeves and made it through the morning. The same members and alumni also pulled off Thursday's supper and work auction. It was one of the most successful work auctions, bringing in over $2,000.
Friday evening we held a cake raffle at the basketball game. We had two of the most beautiful cakes made by Patti Gaines to raffle off at half time of the varsity boys game. We wrapped the week up by eating pizza and bowling a couple of games at Peabody Lanes Saturday evening.
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all of the members of the Peabody-Burns FFA chapter for being able to step up to the plate and perform without me present to give directions. You really did shine during the week.
I would also like to thank the alumni members who stepped in for me and helped the students. The week would never have been as successful as it was without your help and support. You truly took what Sam (Atherton) had to say Tuesday and put it to work during the week.
I would also like to thank the communities of Peabody and Burns for your support. FFA is very important and without your support many things we do would not be possible.
Last, but not least, I would like to thank Harlin Unruh, my substitute during my absence. He truly went above and beyond the call of duty.
Sincerely,
Sonya Roberts
PBHS FFA Adviser
