St. Louis FFA has been extremely busy recently. The Chapter has been doing many fundraisers and competing in events. For instance, The FFA Chapter won a grant through Michigan Farm Bureau worth $500 to use for Harvest Festival.

FFA Advisor Matt Bernia said, “The Michigan Farm Bureau posts this grant every year. This grant is for programs trying to promote agricultural literacy, which St. Louis does through its harvest fests, which we hold every year. We plan to use this $500 in 2020 to host our Harvest Fest and to improve the educational sustenance in our programs.”

Furthermore, the chapter finished its winter fundraiser which earned them $850! Currently, FFA is collecting pop can tabs that are to be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities. This Michigan FFA service project is a great way to support the community, and the chapter will be collecting the tabs until March 3.

Additionally, FFA Week will be Feb. 17-22, and St. Louis High School will be holding spirit days that week.

FFA student advisor Andrew “Pudge” Zimmerman shared, “I think it’s awesome that we raised $850, and I’m excited for spirit week.”

Just recently, Jan. 29, three FFA members competed in leadership contests at Chesaning Union High School. Juniors Julia Hawley and Jennifer Brown both competed in Employability Skills, and Hawley took 10th place to earn a silver award while Brown took fourth to achieve gold. Skylar Rodriguez also competed as she took second place in Extemporaneous Public Speaking to earn a silver award. Rodriguez will represent St. Louis FFA at Regionals Feb. 13, at Delta College.

Rodriguez shared, “It was my first time doing this event, so I was really nervous, but once I got in the contest and started my speech, I ended up doing all right.”

Bernia shared, “Each year, FFA members have the opportunity to showcase their leadership abilities through leadership development events. I’m extremely proud of all our students who competed; we placed very well. While we have some adjustments to make for the 2020 school year, I know they will continue to make St. Louis proud. Make sure to congratulate Skylar as she heads to regionals!”