Today is our last day of school for 2023. As we complete the first semester, and enter into the Holiday season or New Years, we wanted to reflect over the last two months.
In November 35 of our members competed in livestock judging. This year they saw market hogs, market lambs, breeding ewes, breeding does, market goats, breeding bulls, market cattle, and a keep/cull heifer class. The state decided to get rid of the written test and questions over classes, so our district did as well. Members still had give oral reasons. The junior competitors (Freshmen and Sophomores) qualified for state by placing 3rd as a team. Members that will represent our chapter are: Kaleb Ostrander, Brayden Ogorzolka, Maddie Janzen, and Miles Kliewer. They will compete at State in April.
Before Thanksgiving, members had a Thanksgiving meal and dodgeball tournament. Members of both FFA and FBLA had a potluck meal to enjoy some fellowship. After the meal, they headed to the gym to participate in the annual Dodgeball tournament.
In December, members had a Christmas party and participated in the annual Can Caroling. Can caroling is an event that was started several years ago. Members in FFA, NHS, and FBLA walk through the Bradshaw and Henderson communities caroling at homes and asking for a donation for the annual food drive that the school hosts. Throughout the month, members also took turns collecting donations from elementary, junior high and high school classrooms.
On December 13, members competed in the District Leadership Development Events. Ben Janzen, a senior, wrote a Senior Public Speaking event speech over Greeneye Technology. A new precision agriculture technology. He received a red ribbon. Lexi Inglsbee, and sophomore, wrote a speech for Junior Public Speaking about raising hogs. She received a blue ribbon. Allie Boehr, a senior, and Katrina Epp, a junior, did an agriculture demonstration on if the Incredible Egg was Edible. They received a blue ribbon. Maddie Janzen and Emma Ott, both freshmen, competed in Creed Speaking. Maddie received a red ribbon. Emma won 1st place and will compete at State in April! Thane Wetjen and Zach Miller, both juniors, competed in Employment Skills. Both boys received a blue ribbon. The Officer team competed in Parli Procedure. They received a red ribbon. Members of the team are Ben Janzen, Madison Mason, Blake Goertzen, Zach Miller, Sam Quiring, and Thane Wetjen. The freshmen competed in Conduct of Chapter Meetings and received a red ribbon. Team members were Maddie Janzen, Emma Ott, Nevada Gloystein, Amanda Goertzen, Colby Frisbie, Kinsley Friesen, and David Hiebner.
Allie Boehr went to read to Mrs. Naber's 3rd grade class, as part of the Connecting Chapters program. This is a program through the Nebraska Farm Bureau that allows FFA members to work with elementary students to help teach them where their food is coming from.
Ag classes also were able to learn more about precision farming from Courtney Nelson from Northeast Community College. Each class talked about something different, but learned various erosion control methods, drone technology, and soil data collection.
We all are ready for a much needed break and are hoping that you have a restful and happy Holiday season!
