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!