Spurlock Recognized For Proficiency Award Second Year in a Row

 Lindsey Spurlock, 2019 grad, will walk across the stage at FFA State Convention for a shot at a state title. Agricultural Proficiency Awards recognize FFA members who have specialized in a skill through a Supervised Agricultural Activity (SAE). Spurlock is 1 of 4 finalists in the area of outdoor recreation after several rounds of evaluation. Spurlock was awarded 3rd place as a state finalist in 2019. She will return to the conference with an opportunity to interview with judges and a state title this May. “I think that I am a stronger candidate this year than I was last year in my proficiency category. I have had room to grow and accomplish more”(Spurlock). Lindsey's SAE consists of working as a tour guide and gift shop manager at Seneca Caverns. She now attends Ohio State ATI majoring in Animal Sciences to use her knowledge in agriculture to her best advantage. “Lindsey has been a great leader throughout her school, chapter, and community. She is well-deserving of representing the state of Ohio as a Proficiency finalist” (Jeff Karcher, Chapter Advisor). As well as a chapter degree, state degree, and two proficiency awards, Spurlock will be receiving her American Degree in 2020 along with classmates Zack Cleveland and McKenna Peacock. 

Written By Lara Spurlock, Chapter Reporter 2020

FFA Visits 8^th Graders for Recruitment

 In February, 20 members of the Bellevue FFA traveled to the Middle School to conduct their 8^th Grade Recruitment program.  All the students of the 8^th grade class met with the FFA members in their classrooms.  The FFA members led the 8^th graders through conversations and activities involving leadership, life skills, teamwork, and agricultural awareness in the hopes of generating interest in taking an agricultural education course their freshman year of high school.

3 Bellevue FFA Members Compete in Speech Contests

 Allison Michaels, Taylor Baxter, and Amber Bowering each competed in areas of the FFA speech contest throughout the month of February.

Allison memorized the 5 paragraphs and presented them to sets of judges for evaluation in the Beginning Creed Speaking Contest.  Allison placed 4^th in the county contest, 1^st in the sub-district contest, and finished in 7^th place at the district level. 

Taylor competed in the Advanced Prepared Speaking Contest.  She wrote and memorized her own speech about saving small dairy farms.  Carleigh placed 2^nd in the county, 2^nd at the sub-district, and finished 5^th at the district level.

Amber competed in the Extemporaneous Contest.  At the contest site, she drew a topic and was given 30 minutes to research and prepare her speech.  She was then ushered into the contest room to give her speech to multiple judges and answer questions.  Amber placed 3^rd in the county, 1^st in the sub-district, and finished 6^th in the district.

12 FFA Members Attend Leadership Conferences

 January is a very busy month for many FFA members as they complete award applications, however, 12 FFA members found their way to Columbus, Ohio in mid-January to attend the 212 and 360 conferences.  The 212 conference is designed for students 7^th-10^th grade and focuses on taking students to the “boiling point” of leadership.  Students are challenged to push the limits of their leadership as they develop through the conferences theme of growth.  The 360 conference, designed for 11^th and 12^th grade students, covers every angle on developing action plans for their chapters and communities.