All seniors were given purple shirts. All were donated by Roger & Marjorie Beckman. Liam HalawithMaroon echoes editor & reporter. The new Agricultural Education Teacher at Mount Pleasant Community High School, Matthew Jones, got to stretch his legs at the Henry County fair. Meeting kids from all over the county and getting to spend some time with 4-H members here in Mt. Pleasant.
Jones is looking forward to summer being over, so he can start to rebuild the FFA in Mt. Pleasant, “I haven’t been this excited for summer to end in my life.” The national FFA organization website states that “FFA is a Dynamic Youth Organization that changes lives and prepares members for primer leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.” FFA was established in Kansas City, Missouri in 1928. It has since spread to all 50 states and several U.S. territories. Jones goal for the first year of FFA and agricultural classes is to establish a foundation for future years to come, “ I want to lay a solid foundation so we don’t get what happened last time.” Jones is referring to back in 1995 when the school district closed down the FFA that had been running before but close down due to declining numbers. In an interview with the Maroon Echoes in April, at a Meet and Greet with Matthew Jones, school board members Chuck Andrew and Jennifer Crull explained how they saw the agricultural program fade away, almost 30 years ago. Chuck explained, “ It happened at a time when agriculture as we know it was changing.” Andrew and Crull are part of the Agricultural Education Taskforce, a group of people who were working to explore what bringing back FFA would mean to the district and if it was possible. The group was also eventually tasked with fundraising $300,000 in two years. They are inching closer and closer to their goal. The funding will fund the program for 3 years, after that it is up to the district to come up with funding. Superintendent of Schools John Henriksen says,” As long as it’s based on [student] interest it can’t fail.” MPCHS student and Henry County fair queen contestant, Madison Campbell, is deeply involved in agriculture, “ There is a very big push in my family because they use to be in FFA.” Madison will take all three classes offered by Mr. Jones including animal science, introduction to agriculture, and agricultural business. Madison wants to see all ages get involved in FFA & 4-H to make sure that the program lasts. Cristina Johnston will be taking animal science and intro to agriculture, this fall. Cristina wants to be a vet tech and plans to go to college for that. Johnston showed three animals at the fair one of her own and two of her sisters. Johnston wants more to people to learn about livestock, “ I want for more people to understand livestock.” Jones expects up to 70 kids in his classes in the fall.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Maroon Echoes StaffAdvisor- Ronnie Waggoner Archives
November 2020
Keep up with the latests by clicking the link below and following these accounts!
Buy A Target Yearbook Today!
Start Capturing Your Memories Here!
Sign Up for Our Newsletter Today!Want weekly updates from the Maroon Echoes Right in your inbox? Click the button below!
|