Paris FFA Named 2017 National Premier Chapter: Growing Leaders Winner
The Paris FFA Chapter from Missouri has been named the 2017 National Premier Chapter: Growing Leaders winner at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.
The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
During “Beef Up Reading,” Paris FFA encouraged elementary students to get excited about reading. They challenged elementary students to read and log more than 95,000 minutes of reading in a month. FFA members visited classrooms to motivate the students and share about the importance of reading. The chapter even got parents involved by hosting a free barbecue brisket dinner for all students, parents and teachers during the Title I Reading Night. FFA members enjoyed setting goals and helping the elementary students to reach them to reinforce the importance of reading.
Chapters eligible to compete for the National Premier Chapter: Growing Leaders award demonstrate competency in doing innovative things or taking traditional concepts and applying a creative twist in the growing leaders division of the chapter’s Program of Activities. Ten three-star chapters competed in a presentation and interview process for the top honor during this year’s national convention. Paris FFA received a plaque in an onstage ceremony during the convention’s second general session on Thursday, Oct. 26.
The National Chapter Award program is sponsored by John Deere.
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 653,359 student members who belong to one of 8,568 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 344,239 alumni members in 2,051 alumni chapters throughout the U.S.
From communications to mechanics to livestock judging, 25 career and leadership development (CDE and LDE) events help FFA members complete as individuals and in teams to sharpen their leadership skills and agricultural knowledge.