West Jackson Middle FFA
400 Gum Springs Church Road Jefferson, Georgia 30549
West Jackson Middle FFA News
West Jackson Middle FFA Officers Attend Summer Leadership Retreat
By: Ashlyn Tomlin – West Jackson Middle FFA Reporter
The 2015-2016 West Jackson Middle FFA Officer Team participated in a leadership retreat on June 22nd-25th, 2015. The retreat was organized by WJMS and EJMS FFA Advisors, April Davis and Kate Wooten, and took place at Kate Wooten’s family lake house on Lake Hartwell in Martin, Georgia.
The 2015-2016 West Jackson Middle FFA Officer Team includes President – Savannah Van Buren, Vice President – Hannah White, Secretary – Alyssa Bradley , Treasurer - Madyson McDaniel , Reporter – Ashlyn Tomlin, Sentinel – Charlie Brooksher , and Jr. Representative - Garrett Bryson.
This was the first event of their year of service, and while at the retreat, the WJMS FFA Officer Team completed the year’s calendar of events, organized the Program of Activities, participated in team building initiatives, and set goals for themselves and the WJMS FFA Chapter.
“The officer retreat is the first time the new WJMS FFA officer team had the opportunity to work together, and it is essential for planning the upcoming year’s events”, according to WJMS FFA Advisor, April Davis. President, Savannah Van Buren, stated “My favorite thing about the officer retreat was water tubing. It was very fun and slightly terrifying.”
Any student at West Jackson Middle School can join FFA! Contact April Davis at adavis@jackson.k12.ga.us for more information and details.
West Jackson Middle FFA Member Competes at National Level Show
West Jackson Middle FFA member Savannah Page recently exhibited her swine projects at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa on June 1st through 6th. Each year, 20,000 pork producers and other professionals make World Pork Expo the world's largest pork-specific trade show and swine show. There were nearly 1,000 junior exhibitors (who have not reached their 21st birthday as of January 1) that exhibited nearly 2500 head of purebred and cross breeding gilts and market barrows.
With all of that competition, Jackson County’s own Savannah Page received Reserve Grand Champion Hampshire Breeding Gilt honors and went on to be named the Fifth Overall National Junior Swine Association Purebred Gilt. Savannah also received first place honors with her Yorkshire Breeding Gilt and second place honors with her Crossbred Breeding Gilt. Moreover, Savannah was on the Reserve Champion Junior Livestock Judging Team and placed 9th Overall in the NJSA Sweepstakes Competition which combines all of her activities and placings throughout the week.
Savannah is the daughter of Phil and Christy Page of Jefferson, GA
West Jackson Middle FFA Ends the School Year with Great Accomplishments
Ashlyn Tomlin – West Jackson Middle FFA Reporter
MACON, Georgia – The State FFA Convention was held at the Centreplex in Macon, Georgia on April 23-25, 2015. The State FFA Convention is a time for more than 6,500 FFA members, advisors, and guests to come together to celebrate state level accomplishments, receive scholarships and State FFA Degrees, enjoy retiring addresses from current State FFA Officers as well as other keynote speakers, and elect the 2015 -2016 State FFA Officers. Six West Jackson Middle FFA members traveled to the State FFA Convention – Caden Carlyle, Madyson McDaniel, Kate Schultz, Ashlyn Tomlin Kevin Velez, and Hannah White. These members enjoyed their time during the convention sessions and career show as they were introduced to the many opportunities available to them in the FFA. First timer Ashlyn Tomlin stated that “state convention was a very fun and enjoyable experience. I also learned a lot of agricultural skills along with some life skills as well. It was one of my favorite ag experiences!”
The Georgia FFA’s 87th annual convention kicked off on Thursday, April 23rd, with a powerful kickoff message from Mr. Harvey Alston, an educational leader, public speaker and author of Be the Best. Other speakers on the Convention docket included National FFA President Andy Paul, President of Georgia Farm Bureau, Mr. Zippy Duvall, and Georgia’s State School Superintendent, Mr. Richard Woods. youth speaker Josh Shipp. Opening night also included the recognition of FFA Foundation Sponsors and the naming of the 2015 Stars over Georgia.
Day two of the convention brought the presentation of state proficiency and career development event (CDE) awards; state level CDE competition; and the official delegate business session. West Jackson Middle FFA was recognized during the Fourth General session for being the Area II Winner in the National FFA Week Observance. Moreover, WJMS FFA was chosen as the State Winner for the National FFA Week Observance Award – an amazing accomplishment as WJMS FFA was one of only two middle school chapters contending for this award. In addition, West Jackson Middle FFA was recognized as the Area II Winner and the State Winner in the National Chapter Award competition. Only chapters that were ranked as Gold Emblem Chapters could compete for this award, and there were only nine middle school chapters in the state in contention. All 28 Gold Emblem chapters will go on to be judged on the national level in the summer. By winning both the area and state awards in both the National Chapter Award and National FFA Week Observance, West Jackson Middle FFA also was awarded $1250 in prize money for these accomplishments.
On Saturday morning, day three of the convention began with the awarding of the prestigious State FFA Degree to 682 deserving students, the business meeting of the FFA Alumni Association, and the election of the 2015-2016 state FFA officer team. The awards for 100% FFA membership were also given during this time, and West Jackson Middle FFA received a plaque for this accomplishment as well.
Ben Lastly, the Executive Secretary of the Georgia FFA Association states, “We are very excited to bring the FFA Convention back to Macon for a tenth year; and excited to announce that we expect a record crowd of nearly 7,000 to attend. Our Convention is a wonderful opportunity to feature the success of so many students from across our state.” Lastly goes on to say, “Agriculture is the number one industry in Georgia, and our young people are the greatest commodity in our state. Bringing these young people together to celebrate their success in both leadership and agriculture is good for the future of our state.”
The mission of the FFA is to develop premier leadership, personal growth and career success through Agricultural Education. Georgia FFA is the 3rd largest state association with more than 37,000 student members and 290 chapters engaged in agriculturally based activities throughout the state. For more information FFA, visit http://georgiaffa.org.
Jackson County FFA and FCCLA Members Attend Summer Leadership Camp
By Ashlyn Tomlin – West Jackson Middle FFA Reporter
This summer 65 students from Jackson County FFA chapters learned that it only takes One Step to change the world and become a better leaders! They were part of more than 2,800 students who attended the 2015 FFA-FCCLA Summer Leadership Camp at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center in Covington. In addition to learning leadership skills, these amazing students enjoyed swimming, fishing, horseback riding, zip lines, a giant slip and slide, the Blob, and more! On Tuesday, campers had the opportunity to traverse through over three miles of obstacles known as the Udder Mud Run. On the last day of camp they even participated in an exciting dry and muddy obstacle course. First time camper from East Jackson Middle FFA, Sara Saliba stated that camp was, “very memorable and it has a lot to offer to everyone with all different personalities”. When asked what her favorite part of camp was, Sara said, “riding horses and making new friends”.
With over 650 FFA and FCCLA members at Summer Leadership Camp, Jackson County students proved to be competitive. Campers entered contests like archery, crafts, softball, essay, fishing, speech, and many more. Some highlights for Jackson County members included West Jackson Middle FFA member Noel Plunkett winning the craft shop’s Jewelry contest. At the Wednesday afternoon’s swim meet, WJMS FFA member Jackson Harvin placed first in both the Freestyle and Backstroke contests, Doug Evans of East Jackson High FFA won the Biggest Splash Contest, and Katelyn Gary, East Jackson Middle FFA member, placed first in the Smallest Splash. Also at the swim meet, Cassie Jones, Savannah Van Buren, Samantha Manley, and Sam Yurco placed second in the Freestyle Relay. EJMS FFA member, Haley Harrison, and JCCHS FFA member, Allie Duck placed 2nd in the Basketball Shootout while Anslee Stephens of WJMS FFA placed 3rd in Ping Pong. The JCCHS FFA team of Antonio Strickland, Grant Strickland, Easton Tuggle, and Derek Stone won the one mile relay while Tanner Hart of EJMS FFA placed 3rd in the Skeet Shooting event. Lexie Reynolds of East Jackson High FFA placed first in the Speech competition.
West Jackson Middle FFA Members included Noel Plunkett, Summer Howington, Kate Schultz, Anslee Stephens, Megan McDowell, Marin Davidson, Savannah Van Buren, Kyra Collier, Hannah White, Cassie Jones, Alex Rainwater, Jackson Harvin, Dale Vickery, Zach Clifton, Trevor Slaick, Ethan Bowen, Caden Carlyle, Charlie Brooksher, and Colton Moon.
Jackson County High School FFA members included Katie Fife, Rachel Baker, Rachel Hardgree, Morgan Davidson, Maggie Archer, Cindy Cooper, Allie Duck, Samantha Miller, Kennon Swain, Drew Standridge, Easton Tuggle, Grant Strickland, Antonio Strickland, Lane Sharpton, Derek Stone, Walt Palmer, Miguel Gutierrez, and Mitch Mershon.
East Jackson Middle FFA members included Sam Yurco, Lexi Dalton, Haley Harrison, Colbie Fulcher, Katelyn Gary, Austin Hill, Tanner Hart, Dalton Ogle, Cale Howington, Grant Wright, Sabrina Livingston, Grace Hill, Emily Edwards, Sarah Delay, Sara Saliba, and Shelby Scranton.
East Jackson High School FFA members included Doug Evans, Justin Lyons, Jacob Davidson, Austin Varner, Joseph Terry, Jordan White, Lexie Reynolds, and Samantha Manley.
“Summer Leadership Camp provides a chance for FFA and FCCLA students from around the state to grow and learn critical life skills while having exciting experiences that only happen at camp. We have many great activities, but the ultimate goal is to change lives,” says Russel Towns, Camp Manager.
The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center is located near Covington, on the banks of Lake Jackson.
East Jackson Middle and West Jackson Middle FFA Chapters Host Jackson County Woodworking Contest
East Jackson Middle and West Jackson Middle FFA Chapters hosted the first ever Jackson County Woodworking Contest on Saturday, March 28th. This first time event was held in conjunction with the Jackson County Agriculture Festival, and it was a way for FFA members in Jackson County to show off their woodworking skills.
The Woodworking Contest featured two divisions to showcase both middle school and high school projects as well as three different categories for each – small, medium, and large. FFA members from East Jackson Middle, West Jackson Middle, Jackson County High, and Jefferson City participated in this event, and winners in each category were presented with plaques and $50 prize money.
In the high school division, Jefferson City FFA’s Spencer Kelly and Matt Sims were awarded first and second places in the Small Project category while Austin Benton, Jonathan Williams, Joshua Nix, and Austin Phillips took home first, second, third and fourth in the Medium Project category.
In the middle school division, West Jackson Middle’s Paul McFearin and KaitlinVan Wie earned first and second in the Small Project category.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Jackson County Agriculture Festival, Woodworking Contest, or being a part of the festivities next year, please contact sponsors April Davis at adavis@jackson.k12.ga.us or Kate Wooten at kwooten@jackson.k12.ga.us.
WJMS FFA Members Honored at Area FFA Banquet
COMMERCE, GA – The Area II FFA Banquet was held on May 14th at the Commerce Civic Center. This annual event serves as a time for FFA members from schools in Area II to come together to receive awards from throughout the year as well as electing Area FFA Officers. West Jackson Middle FFA members attending the Area II Banquet were Peyton Puckett, Hannah White, Madyson McDaniel, Kevin Velez, and Charlie Brooksher. Madyson McDaniel and Charlie Brooksher were both awarded Gold medals for their Livestock Care Recordbooks. Kevin Velez received a plaque and $25 reward for placing second in the Area II Reporter’s Book competition. In addition, the WJMS FFA Chapter was also recognized for winning first place in the Area II FFA Week Observance Award which also went on to be chosen as the State Winner at the State FFA Convention in April.
East Jackson Middle and West Jackson Middle FFA Chapters Host First Annual Jackson County Agriculture Festival
Members of the East Jackson Middle and West Jackson Middle FFA Chapters recently hosted the first annual Jackson County Agricultural Festival on March 28th. This first-time event was held at Jackson EMC and was a free event that was open to the public. The focus of the Jackson County Agriculture Festival was to show the community what agriculture looked like in our community and in Georgia and show off some Jackson County students’ work in agriculture.
Many local and state-wide vendors were in attendance for the JC Agriculture Festival including agriculture-related college affiliations, vendors selling locally made goods, and state and local agriculture promotion agencies such as Georgia Cattleman’s, Georgia Grown, and USDA.
Members of Jackson County’s FFA Chapters were also on-site to share their Supervised Agriculture Experience programs including livestock projects, small animal projects, and floral designs. In addition to FFA exhibits, some of Jackson County’s FCCLA members participated in a county-wide Cupcake Wars Competition. Patrons of the JC Agriculture Festival also enjoyed demonstrations from Georgia’s Mobile Classroom throughout the day.
All in all, the Jackson County Agriculture Festival had a great turn for this first time event, and sponsors say they look forward to continued growth in the coming years. If anyone is interested in learning more about the Jackson County Agriculture Festival or being a part of the festivities next year, please contact sponsors April Davis at adavis@jackson.k12.ga.us or Kate Wooten at kwooten@jackson.k12.ga.us.
