The Effingham County High School FFA chapter was recently awarded the Three-Star award by the national Future Farmers of America organization. After being recognized as a Superior chapter at the state level, they advanced further and received a Gold rating for their club.

Once they qualified as a Gold Chapter, they became eligible for consideration to enter the National Chapter Award Competition. The ECHS chapter ranked in the top 10 percent of statewide Gold chapters and earned themselves a state nomination for the national competition.  

“This year, we really kicked butt,” said chapter president Emily Rodgers.

To enter into the National Chapter Award Competition, the ECHS FFA team had to prove its level of student, chapter and community development. They were judged on goals and objectives set, their plan of action taken, and the results of those activities.  Club officers had to write summaries of club activities and provide photos for judging.  

Projects included “Want to See my SAE?” in which at least ninety percent of students completed agricultural experience projects, “Leave Effingham and Discover,” where officers and members attended conferences and learned organizational skills, and the chapter held “Meet, Greet, and Eat!” meetings.

Chapter officers for the 2009-10 year include President Emily Rodgers, Vice President Chris Tuten, Secretary Lauren Shuman, Treasurer Sabrina Stull, Reporter Emily Mier, Chaplain Kristie Lowery and Sentinal Kaley Basile.

Advisors are CJ Satterfield, Meredith Carey and Dr. Freddie Waltz.