The horse judging team included: Sophie Gustafson- 2nd Place Ind., Clara Lemarr- 4th Place Ind., Trisha Ludewig, Alexys Odegard, Ellen Windschitl, and Hana Zeig. The team placed 4th out of 9 teams.
Several Sleepy Eye FFA teams and individuals competed in Career and Leadership Development Events in the last few weeks. They included: Ag. Sales, Employment Skills, Food Science, and the Horse Team.
The Ag. Sales team members included: Alex Joramo, Carmen Lendt, and Jade Sellner. The purpose of the Minnesota FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development Event is to evaluate skills that are essential for an individual to be successful in the agricultural sales field. The process of selling agricultural products is essential for production and marketing of agricultural products. The product for 2021 was an Animal Health- Parasitic Control.
Sleepy Eye FFA had one member, McKenna Dockter, compete in an individual LDE (Leadership Development Event) called Employment Skills. This event is developed to help participants in their current job search (for SAE projects, internships, part-time and full-time employment). The contest parts included: Resume, Cover Letter, Application, Interview, and Follow Up Letter.
There was a new Food Science Team this year for Sleepy Eye FFA. The team members included: Chloe Dolly, Kayla Hecht, Isabella Kunkel, and Noemi Rodriguez. The Food Science and Technology Career Development Event requires students to have an in-depth understanding of food product development, food presentation and food safety issues. Participants also use their sensory skills to solve problems and make sound decisions.
For the Horse CDE, members judge halter classes, performance classes (western pleasure, hunt seat, English pleasure, western riding, western horsemanship, and trail), and also identify breeds, colors, markings, and tack.
The Horse team advanced to State Competition. All State FFA Competitions will take place virtually this year between April 19 and 30, 2021.
By: Katelyn Capacia, Chapter Reporter
Chloe Dolly is a seventh grader at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been in FFA for one year. She joined FFA because she thought it would be something fun to do. She is on the Food Science CDE Team and she likes it because she enjoys making the food. Her favorite FFA activity was going on the FFA bowling trip. Chloe is looking forward most to trapshooting. By being in FFA, she learned that it is fun to be involved in FFA activities. Chloe is most proud of her Member of the Month Award.
Sophie Kyllonen is an eleventh grader at St. Mary’s Schools and has been in FFA for two years. She joined FFA to grow her agriculture knowledge and make memories. She is on the Dairy CDE Team and she likes it because she likes being informed about dairy and what to look for in a cow. Sophie’s SAE is working at Roseview Dairy where she is in charge of scraping pens and helping out with daily chores. Occasionally, she helps milk and feed calves. Her favorite FFA activity is the Animal Carnival. Sophie is most looking forward to the dairy judging competition. By being in FFA, she learned more about how to manage and judge dairy cows. Sophie is most proud of her Member of the Month Award.
Kadon Strong is a twelfth grader at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been in FFA for six years. He joined FFA to take advantage of all of the fun activities. He was on the Fish and Wildlife CDE and he liked it because he enjoys learning about his favorite hobby, fishing. Kadon’s SAE is doing pig vaccinations for farmers in southern Minnesota. His favorite FFA activity is Trapshooting. Kadon is most looking forward to the State Convention. By being in FFA and Ag. Classes, he learned more about different animals, how to weld, and about landscaping and floriculture. Kadon is most proud of earning his State FFA Degree this year.
Gunny Coulson is a tenth grader at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been in FFA for four years. He joined FFA in order to gain leadership qualities that will be important in his adult life. One of Gunny’s SAE projects was designing, building, and finishing a desk to use as a part of his home workstation. His favorite FFA activity is the FFA bowling trip. Gunny is most looking forward to the Summer Ag. Tour and the summer Ag. classes. By being in FFA, he learned that there are many ways to serve in Sleepy Eye. Gunny is most proud of earning the Freshman Top Scholar Award and the 6 Star Leader Award in 2020.
St. Mary’s junior Julia Helget has been honored as a 2021 Minnesota State High School League ExCEL winner.
| Olivia Anderson, Jackson County Central | Carson Matzke, Lake City |
| Robert Angelo, Ortonville | Briana Maus, Melrose Area |
| Riya Bharti, East Ridge, Woodbury | Carmello McNeal, Twin Cities Academy, St. Paul |
| Brendon Buerkle, Springfield | Grace Moeller, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial |
| Matthew Condon, Rosemount | Fina Mooney, St. Anthony Village |
| Sydney Dietz, Morris Area | William Nielsen, Sauk Rapids-Rice |
| Miles Flack, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial | Nina Nordstrom, Annandale |
| Bella Grill, Liberty Classical Academy, White Bear Lake | Shrey Pothini, Burnsville |
| Julia Helget, Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s | Rhea Rajvansh, Eastview, Apple Valley |
| Ava Hess, Owatonna | Mason Reinhardt, LeSueur-Henderson |
| Alexandra Heuss, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown | Samuel Scheffler, Lakeville South |
| Annaka Hook, Tracy Area | Silas Simpson, Mankato West |
| Tamia Horton, North, North St. Paul | Lauren Staples, Cherry, Iron |
| George Janikula, Watertown-Mayer | Jazlyn Toedter, Becker |
| Josh Johnson, Verndale | Jared Turrubiartes, Albert Lea |
| Katelyn Ketchum, Lewiston-Altura | Craig Visnovec, Aitkin |
| Tyson Kube, Martin Luther, Northrop | Hailey VonEnde, Badger |
| Elise Lubben, Buffalo | Addie Voxland, Zumbrota-Mazeppa |
Sleepy Eye Schools February’s Patroller of the Month is 5th Grader Kenedi Wersal. “She stuck it out, doing her job during our recent cold spell,” said Sue Kanzenbach, Safety Patrol Supervisor. “Can you say Dedication!”
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- McKenna Dockter (top left) and Katelyn Capacia (right) hung up the Coloring Contest Winner Pages in the Ag. Hallway for display throughout the week.
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- 50 different FFA members, including Marcus Martinez, attended the four separate JH and HS bowling events at the Garage during the two weeks of FFA Week celebrations.
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- Over 220 students competed in the FFA Week coloring contest! Pictured here is Brinley Peterson from Kindergarten as well as Kallin Kuelbs and Jax Ramirez from 2nd Grade with their prizes.
By: Carmen Lendt, Chapter Reporter
National FFA Week was celebrated by FFA members nationwide from February 20-27, 2021. Although some changes to the agenda had to be made this year because of COVID, FFA week was still very exciting for students and staff at Sleepy Eye Schools.
The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was very active throughout FFA Week and the week before. To start out on Monday the 15th, 17 Jr. High students attended a bowling trip to the Garage in Springfield. Seventh grade had a trip and then 8th grade.
On Friday the 19th and Friday the 26th, 33 high school members attended bowing trips also held at the garage in Springfield. Everyone played multiple games of bowling, enjoyed pizza and drinks, and members had a chance to win door prizes at the end. 25 new members participated in these FFA bowling events that had not participated before! It was great to see our membership grow enthusiasm for FFA.
Beginning on Monday the 22nd, there were dress-up days for K-12 students and staff each day along with an emblem hunt. Dress up days included: Plaid/flannel day, FFA Spirit day, Hat day, Duo day, and Freedom Friday. Students got a chance to win Best Dressed for the day. Emblem hunt winners got a FFA box of popcorn.
Every day of the week staff and top level supporters got appreciation gifts from Sleepy Eye FFA. Some of the gifts were: You are a Star – Starburst, Be Kind to Yourself – Kind Bar, You are “Amaizing” – Popcorn, Thanks for going the Extra Mile with Students – Extra Gum, You are Marvelous and Magnificent – M & M’s. It was fun to shower the staff with a gift each day letting them know how much we appreciate what they do each day.
The FFA Elementary, as well as staff and high school students, got to participate in the FFA Week Coloring contests. All together there were 230 participants at St. Mary’s and Sleepy Eye Public. Winners received FFA T-shirts, mugs, cups, popcorn, and cinch bags. Elementary winners coloring pages were displayed in the Ag. Hallway along with numerous other decorations.
National FFA Week is a time to celebrate the organization that we love and appreciate so much as well as all it has taught us. We had a great time involving everyone in the school in our activities!
Sleepy Eye Elementary February Students of the Month: Apollo Saari- K, Brandon Hardin- K, Jada Schauman- 1, Natlie Martinez- 1, Mila Boomgarden- 2, Breckin Peterson – 2, Taya Bastian- 3, Mayanna Wiley- 3, Michael Aspelund- 4, Aaron Garcia- 4, Ava Kunkel- 5, Karly Wendinger- 5, Gavin Fischer- 6, Rheanna Stone- 6.
Four FFA members from Sleepy Eye were interviewed for their State FFA Degrees. Pictured left to right: Morgan Hoffmann, McKenna Dockter, Kadon Strong, and Sophia Portner.
Adam Johnson placed 1st in Region VI for Poultry Production.
Morgan Hoffmann was elected the Vice President for the Region VI 2021-22 FFA Officer Team.
Jake Price placed 1st in Region VI for Turf Grass Management.
By: Katelyn Capacia, Chapter Reporter
The Region VI FFA interviews were held in the last two weeks for Region Office, State Degrees, and Proficiency Awards.
This year, four Sleepy Eye FFA members applied for State FFA Degrees and two members completed Agricultural Proficiency Awards. The State FFA Degree is the second highest degree attainable in FFA, behind the American FFA Degree.
All proficiency interviews, region officer interviews, and delegate voting were done online/virtual. The State FFA Degree interviews were conducted by Larry Baumgardt, Advisory Board Chair using current Covid guidelines.
In order to receive a State FFA Degree, the following qualifications must be met. Having a Chapter FFA Degree, being an active FFA member, completing at least 2 years of agricultural classroom instruction, having earned and invested at least $2,000 or worked 300 hours through an SAE, as well as completing at least 25 hours of community service.
The members who applied for the State FFA Degree included: McKenna Dockter, Morgan Hoffmann, Sophia Portner, and Kadon Strong.
Two members also interviewed for their Proficiency Applications. The Sleepy Eye Proficiency results were:
Jake Price – 1st place in Turf Grass Management
Adam Johnson – 1st place in Poultry Production
The State Degrees and Proficiency Applications will now go to the state level and the State Proficiency Judging will take place in March.
Region VI Officer Interviews were also held. Becoming a Region Officer helps FFA members be more active in FFA beyond the chapter level. Serving on an elite team of FFA Members simulates working with others in a professional work environment.
Wyatt Barnes and Mackenna Fischer served as the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter voting delegates for the Region Officer Interviews. They voted on the 2021-22 Region VI Officer Slate. Morgan Hoffmann was elected as the Region VI 2021-2022 Vice President.
FFA helps teach specialized skills in hundreds of agriculture career areas. Opportunities such as this can add up to big life achievements!
Lacey Mathiowetz & Emily Helget of St. Mary’s Catholic School dropped off their group’s National Honor Society service projects for Divine Providence Grandfriends. DPCH Grandfriends will have their winter days brightened by a multitude of sun catchers and handmade cards.
Ag. students in action in many different classes with many different hands-on projects.
February CTE Month: Hands-on, Minds-on
Career and Technical Education Month®, or CTE Month®, is a public awareness campaign that takes place each February to celebrate the value of Career and Technical Education and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country.
Governor Waltz dedicated February, 2021 as CTE Month in Minnesota. These were the main points of the proclamation.
- Profound economic and technological changes in our society are rapidly reflected in the structure and nature of work, placing new responsibilities on our educational system;
- Career and technical education is the backbone of a strong, well-educated workforce, fostering productivity in business and industry and contributing to America’s leadership in the international marketplace;
- Career and technical education gives students practical, meaningful experience by offering integrated programs of study, thus improving the quality of their education and giving students leadership opportunities;
- Career and technical education offers individuals opportunities to learn new skills, providing them with more career choices and better potential for job satisfaction;
- The increasing cooperative efforts of career and technical educators at the secondary and postsecondary levels, along with business and industry, are stimulating the growth and vitality of the entire nation by preparing graduates for career fields that are forecasted to experience significant growth in the next decade.
The Ag. Department at Sleepy Eye Public School has three CTE teachers: Mary Hoffmann, Hunter Manderfeld, and Adam Manderfeld who are proponents of hands-on learning in all of their classes.
The coursework is in the areas of Animal Science, Plant Science, Foods, Natural Resources, Woods, Mechanics, Business, and Exploratory Classes. We are happy to celebrate what we do every day during CTE month and showcase our students in numerous hands on projects.
