Scribner-Snyder FFA White-Out Night

Scribner-Snyder FFA Chapter sponsored a White Out night on Tuesday, January 24^th.  This was a fundraising effort to bring awareness to pediatric needs children.  The communities of Scribner, Snyder, Oakland, and Craig participated by wearing white to the basketball games.  All of the organizations at Scribner-Snyder got involved by donating items for silent auction baskets.  Everyone from the FBLA, basketball teams, and wrestlers contributed!  White ribbons were handed out as people entered the game.  In addition, the FFA sponsored a bake sale, split the pot, and half-time ring toss.  A special National Anthem was sung by the third and fourth graders; while the FFA members displayed a large flag across the basketball court.  The FBLA also generously donated their half-time three-point shootout profits to the cause.  Due to everyone’s support and contributions it was a huge success.  In total, $450 was raised; which was sent to Faith Regional Health Services Foundation-Pediatrics.

Barbeque Auction Preparations

In order to prepare for our Barbeque Auction on Tuesday, March 20^th; the Scribner-Snyder FFA butchered hogs on January 14^th and 15^th.  A total of four hogs were donated by Dan and Mishele Beerbohm and Scribner Grain.  On Saturday the hogs were killed, skinned, and gutted.  A special thank you to Gayle Peters, John Stockamp, Dan Beerbohm (three dads in the chapter), and Matthew Beerbohm for all of their work skinning and killing.  The carcasses were hung overnight.  Then, on Sunday the students cut meat, prepared sausage, and packaged meat.  A special thank you to Mike Metschke, Dan and Mishele Beerbohm for helping to cut and package the pork.  Pork roast is used at the barbeque auction in March, the pork loins are used for the banquet in April, and the sausage is sold by the package.  This event is great for the chapter!  Not only do the students learn about butchering and identifying meat cuts; but since the hogs are donated, it greatly cuts down costs and allows the chapter to raise money for future trips and contests.  Students are also asking local business for donations for the Barbeque Auction.  The Auction will take place Tuesday, March 20^th.  A meal of pork, chips, salads, and dessert will cost $5.  There will be silent auction items, raffles, and door prizes.  In addition, the FFA members will be auctioned off for eight hours of labor. 

Grant Money In Use

This fall, the Scribner-Snyder FFA Chapter was awarded a $2500 Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) grant to purchase technology and complete a career exploration project.  The FFA Career Cluster project is in full swing. Grant money was used to purchase an iPad, digital camera, printer, and projector to help document and produce presentations.  The purpose of the project is to help the students understand how local businesses are involved in agriculture, determine any employment possibilities for the students, and help the students develop interviewing and communication skills.  The Introductory to Ag class wrote letters and made phone calls to contact local businesses in Scribner and Snyder. Many businesses were more than happy to work with us, and the students visited a variety of businesses.  Some of these businesses included Scribner-Snyder Community Schools, Omaha Steaks, Scribner Insurance Agency, Central Valley Ag, Scribner Public Library, and Smeal Fire Apparatus. After the completion of the interviews, the students determined which career cluster each business fit under and wrote thank yous.  The students are still working on creating projects to showcase the knowledge that they attained.  

Up Coming Activities:

The FFA/FCCLA Winter Dance is scheduled for Saturday, February 11^th.  Pictures begin at 8pm, senior members of both organizations will be recognized in a grand march at 8:30pm, and a dance will follow.  Prior to the dance, members will be helping at a local benefit for an individual with a brain tumor.  Following the dance(Sunday), FFA members will be volunteering at the local Lions Club Pork lunch in Snyder. 

FFA Week Activities Planned: Scribner-Snyder FFA is excited to celebrate our organization.  We will be sponsoring a coloring contest for the elementary students and having trivia questions throughout the week for the entire school.  Other days throughout the week students will be wearing their FFA t-shirts, driving tractors to school, holding a petting zoo, having a teacher appreciation breakfast, attending Nebraska Pork Industry Day in West Point, and visiting the elementary classrooms.  We are excited to showcase our organization and teach others more about agriculture. 

Career Development Events are scheduled for Wednesday, February 29^th at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.  Preparations for contest have begun and will continue through that date.  This is an effort to test students’ knowledge and qualify to compete at State Convention at the end of March.  So far we have individuals signed up for Agricultural Sales, AgriScience, Welding, Food Science, and Agricultural Mechanics.