The Wells FFA Chapter pulled an all-nighter Sunday night and headed to the Salt Lake airport. They had an early flight and a long exciting week ahead of them! They had many fun activities planned such as going to a haunted house, the Indy 500 Speedway Museum, paintballing, competitions, and the FFA Career Fair and Expo.
The chapter arrived in Indianapolis at 1 p.m. with another long night ahead of them. They visited the Hanna Haunted Acres Haunted House where they got to go through eight different haunted houses, including a hay ride! On the second day, they got to tour the Indy 500 Speedway Museum, a very well-known place in Indiana.
The chapter got to learn a lot about the history of race cars and was let into the tradition of kissing the bricks. This tradition was started in 1996 by NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett, and all the winners of the Brickyard 400 and Indianapolis 500 have continued it since. Following the museum, they went paintballing. The advisors sure did get all of their stress out that day! That week the chapter also got to go go-karting!
The chapter got to attend the 96th National Convention and FFA Career Fair and Expo on Nov. 1-4. At the expo, they got to explore and learn more about agriculture from different aspects. There were tons of different booths. Some of the booths had hands-on activities like welding, fun games to win agricultural products, and community service projects. A group of members from the chapter got to decorate paper bags for kids lunches. At the career fair, there were a lot of live demonstrations varying from new tractors and agricultural equipment to older equipment. Members also had the opportunity to talk to different colleges and hear about the options they offer.
Despite all the fun and adventurous activities, members of the chapter came to represent Nevada FFA and compete in their Career and Leadership Development Events. Early Wednesday morning, Carolina Johnson competed in Extemporaneous Public Speaking where students are assigned an agricultural topic and write a 4-6 minute speech and then get asked a few questions about their topic. Carolina Johnson ended up receiving a bronze emblem.
That same day, the Conduct of Chapter Meetings team also got to compete. The team consists of Marli Dahl, Aron Hansen, Mason Noorda, Marcos Cobian, Carson Ballard, Isaac Gale and Colter Runnion. This Leadership Development Event challenges each team to demonstrate the correct use of FFA opening and closing ceremonies and other activities. Overall, the team got a silver emblem!
Thursday morning, the meats and poultry team headed off to their competitions. The meats team included Taylor Glaser, Hannah Prescott, Truman Kington, and Madison Dahl. The Meats Evaluation and Technology Career and Leadership event consists of evaluating and grading beef carcasses, identifying meat cuts, placing carcasses, and identifying wholesale and retail cuts. Taylor Glaser placed Gold which is the highest emblem given, Truman Kington placed silver, and both Hannah Prescott and Madison Dahl received a bronze emblem. All together the team got a silver emblem!
Meanwhile, the poultry team was competing at the Indiana State Fairground. The poultry team consists of Cristina Salazar, Callie Brodsho, Evelyn Walz, and Grace Otto. In their event, they evaluated and placed producing hens, broilers, ready-to-cook carcasses, and parts of chickens and turkeys. The team received a bronze emblem. Individually, Cristina Salazar, Callie Brodsho, and Evelyn Walz got a bronze emblem and Grace Otto received a silver emblem.
Wells FFA would like to thank everyone who has supported them and dedicated time to the chapter along the way! After a long and adventurous week, the Wells FFA Chapter stays busy as they plan for their 31st Annual Parent-Member Potluck on November 21!