FFA week celebrated in style

PINE PLAINS — Last week the halls of the Stissing Mountain Middle/High School were filled with blue and gold banners and homemade posters celebrating National FFA Week.

The week’s events included a staff appreciation breakfast on Monday and a meet-and-greet on Tuesday for students interested in learning more about the FFA. The program runs all year long and students can join at any time.

This is the first year that a meet-and greet has been held at Pine Plains, explained FFA Advisor Chris MacNeil.  FFA members arrived in their official dress during two class periods.

Senior Meagan Stephens said some of the questions other students had were about the members’ favorite part of the FFA, what members did when they traveled and various queries about competitions.

There are approximately 35 to 40 FFA members in Pine Plains, spread out fairly evenly from sixth grade to high school seniors. FFA business meetings (with plenty of time for socializing) are held every other Monday at 7 p.m. in MacNeil’s classroom.

The Pine Plains FFA is one of only two FFA programs in Dutchess County, the other being at Webutuck. The Webutuck FFA is currently being run by the new agricultural teacher, Stephanie Bechard.

Kyle Walsh is a high school junior and president of the FFA Pine Plains chapter. A member since the sixth grade, he said he had sponsored a calf in elementary school and that things just grew from there.

While Walsh said once he finishes high school he probably won’t continue into an agricultural-related field, he said he has had a great experience with the program.

“You get to talk to people from other schools and you get to travel,� he said. “Plus I’ve learned public speaking and leadership skills.�

Stephens transferred this year to Pine Plains from Our Lady of Lourdes in Poughkeepsie, specifically for the FFA program.

“I’m going to school to be a veterinarian, and I need the pre-vet agricultural classes to be eligible for certain scholarships,� she explained.

While only spending three hours a day at Stissing Mountain (she also attends Dutchess County Community College), she said she’s enjoyed the program so far.

In addition to the meet-and-greet, some staples of FFA Week included dressing up for Blue & Gold Day on Wednesday and competing among other agricultural intellectuals during the daily trivia contests. There was also a coloring contest held for the elementary school children.

Coming up on the FFA schedule are district contests, to be held at Pine Plains Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be seven other schools competing in various leadership contests.

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