FORT VALLEY — Ninety-four FFA members from Effingham County High School, South Effingham High School, Ebenezer Middle School, Effingham County Middle School and South Effingham Middle School attended the 8th Annual Central Region Leadership Rally held at Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry on Sept. 10.
The purpose of the leadership rally was to spark the interest in FFA members and motivate them to get involved during the upcoming school year. Options include career development events, local community service projects, leadership conferences and state or national FFA conventions.
While attending the Central Region Leadership Rally, members heard from motivational speaker Eliza McCall of Feeding America/ Second Harvest of South Georgia to learn about the growing issue of hunger among children and teens in Georgia.
Students also rotated through various leadership activities led by the Area 3 and Area 4 officers, as well as the Central Region FFA staff. Through these activities, students learned communication, team building and leadership skills that will be used in the five middle and high school FFA chapters in Effingham County. “
"Students, we hope that you take the enthusiasm you shared during the central region rally and use it to focus on your own school’s FFA program,” said Central Region Director Chris Corzine.
FFA advisors/agriculture teachers that were in attendance included Meredith Arrington, Ashley Burns, Dr. Kendra Brophy, Marvin Kersey, Ashley Sapp, CJ Pinson, Alisha Richardson and Benjamin Richardson.
During the Central Region Leadership Rally, students also were able to compete in a variety of events that will help the students know what they would like to compete in during the upcoming school year.
These career-clustered events included horticulture plant identification, animal science identification, forestry identification, ag mechanics identification, an opening ceremonies contest (formal meeting procedures) and an Advisor’s Challenge.
Ebenezer Middle School earned first place in the “One Can” challenge. It brought the most pounds of canned goods than any other school in attendance.
The school was awarded $1,000 worth of Summer Leadership Camp Scholarships. This will enable six students to attend FFA SLC at no cost to them.
Effingham County High School was awarded second place overall.
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Membership today is comprised of 649,355 students in grades sixth through 12 who belong to one of 7,859 local FFA chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
