Alden-Conger FFA Banquet!

While driving on I-90 don't miss the exit to Alden! Yeah, my driving skills continue to get better each day that I am on the road. Thankfully, I got a GPS earlier this year- but even that gets me lost.

Anyway- Annie , a friend I met this summer at the State Greenhand Leadership Conference, invited me to come to her speak at her home chapter banquet- Alden Conger FFA. Once again, my chapter banquet experience was fulfilled with great food, awesome FFA members and lots of hardware!

Here are my top 4 take-aways:

1.  Cheesy Turkey. When I was told that cheesy turkey sandwiches were on the menu, my reaction was not the same as when I finally tried one. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. So good. 1 was definitely not enough.
2. Cody... is an outstanding FFA member, student and athlete. He joined the "has-been" President club, was a State Star Finalist in Placement, a Beef Proficiency Finalist, worked at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center and attended SLCCL- all in his senior year. Additionally, Cody received a number of scholarships including the Dekalb Award. Finally, he has been quite successful in the track and field world with his hops in the high jump. Next fall he will be a Golden Gopher studying Pre-Vet Medicine!
3. Annie, Katie, Lorna, Anna + State Convention + Nerf guns = a good time. They shared their pictures on the chapter slide show of the fun they had at state convention. Kind of jealous...
4. Anticipating the election of the 2010-2011 chapter officers! Congrats to Tyler, Annie this year's President and Vice-President- may you lead your chapter well. I found it really encouraging to see that a number of the students that were officers are going to be sophomores.

This chapter is a great example of student opportunity and community support. When I asked Jacob, among other FFA members "What got you started?", they credited back to their parents encouraging them to be involved. Mrs. Koenen, the adviser and agricultural educator in Alden Conger, provides unique opportunities for Junior High students by giving them membership, Discovery degrees and chances to compete in Regional CDEs.  Thank you for the invite! I had a grrreat time.