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Success! By: Krystle Ward, President
From chapter to chapter I have visited almost half of the chapters within our wonderful section. I have found out that no matter the school, chapter or population FFA members are truly special and unique people. From Galt's fun activities to seeing Elk Grove's Greenhands presented with their degree, a love for the FFA remains true within each chapter. For the first time in my life I felt what it is like to be treated like a VIP or even a state officer by just coming and observing chapter meetings. I was welcomed with open arms by chapter officers, advisors, teachers and members. My expectations of these chapter visits were overcastted by my sense of direction and trouble finding places, so me just getting to a meeting on time was an accomplishment for me. Little did I know what was waiting for me at each chapter meeting as I would pull into a parking lot and walk around an unfamiliar high school campus looking for the agriculture department while getting funny looks from everyone who passed me while I was in my FFA uniform. As I would get closer to each chapters meeting places I would finally find a friendly advisor, chapter officer or my favorite being asked what is going on a today's meeting like I was a chapter officer. At each chapter's meetings that I have attended I have had the opportunity to speak about what our sectional plans are to make us stand out. Talking to people whom I had met at previous FFA events after the meeting felt like old friends catching up on old times. Seeing the looks on members faces asking if they would attend a sectional dance or the looks on the faces of members that I had introduce myself to before the meeting saying I know her. Even hearing about the newsletter, I had realized "Wow, we did this. We did it!" Within my three years in the FFA I never knew why someone would want to commit his or her life to the FFA, but after my chapter visits I can see why and wouldnt mind doing it myself. The look on members faces and hearing from chapter advisors about the newsletter has inspired me to inspire more. This is why I feel I was elected, to inspire and inform other FFA members about what the FFA is all about. I know this year is far from over, but I look forward to catching up with my new friends and meeting new ones. I would like to thank the FFA chapters of Galt, Elk Grove, Sheldon and Casa Roble for letting me be the first to visit their chapter as a sectional officer and look forward to visiting all the other chapters in the section.
WOW! Hard to believe it was time to write another newsletter, but after the response to the first, why stop? The momentum has been building within the section and as a team we have grown. We have accomplished putting this together and starting chapter visits and are ready for something new. Some chapters have not been visited or we have not received their chapters meeting dates. We are looking for something to do as a section such as a dance, softball game or a camp (maybe leadership related) are things we have talked about. Any suggestions are welcome and we plan on a sectional event/get-together soon! Also any chapters are welcome to submit articles for the newsletter! Until next time...
ALA Conference, By: Leeman Parker, Treasurer
This past month has been a great opportunity to improve your leadership skills and improve your personal growth. On Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13, 2002 the National FFA put on two terrific leadership conferences in Stockton. The Advanced Leadership Academy Conference (ALA) took place at Delta College and was a great opportunity for participants to improve their interview and resume writing skills. The enthusiastic group also got to work in groups to make their own power point presentations. Then came Saturday night and it was time for the dance. The participants in both ALA and MFE got together at the hotel and had one heck of a good time. The whole conference was a great success. I had a great time and encourage other members to participate next year!
MFE Conference, By: Katie Robertson, Secretary
The Made For Excellence Conference (MFE) was held January 12th-13th 2002, in Stockton at the Radisson Hotel. The students that attended the conference learned about goal setting, team work, whats important to them, and much more interesting facts that will help to benefit and strengthen their chapters. The conference was an experience to remember! There were great mixers and activities that got us pumped to be there. They also met new and interesting people from the Central Region that they were able to share their ideas, goals and interests with. There was an awesome dance Saturday night that the participants from MFE and ALA mixed and mingled at. Be sure to attend the conference next year FFA members, it was a blast!
State Conference, By: Jeff Alves, 2001-2002 California State FFA Treasurer & Guest Writer
It will be a place like no other! The 74th State FFA Leadership Conference, Igniting The Fire, will be sure to get everyone in attendance fired up! On April 20th in the city of Fresno, the spark will be lit, the flame will be fueled, and the fire will spread. FFA members and guests will feel the heat and light the way as the California Association of Future Farmers of America begin Igniting The Fire. The 2001-2002 year has been themed with, California FFA Igniting Your Fire! Through out the year members from across the golden state of California have ignited their own fires within themselves. From April 20th-23rd, during this years State FFA Leadership Conference, members from the over 300 chapters in the state will bring their fires together and Ignite The Fire for the entire state association. One the first day something big will hit during the opening session that will kick off the beginning of a truly amazing conference. The conference will be filled with speakers, workshops, the Saturday Night Bash, Tours, Dances, the FFA Store, the state choir, state talent, and much more! Whether you meet a new friend or become motivated about the FFA and agriculture the 74th State FFA Leadership Conference will be a place like no other! It will be fours days of Igniting The Fire for the California Association of Future Farmers of America!
Tractor Restoration Project, By: Dan Johnson, Vice President
During the past summer I spent my days working on an antique 1954 Farmall Cub tractor. I received it last spring in really poor condition from a local nursery who had no use of it. Through a challenging process of removing grease and dirt I had to transform a heap of rust and twisted metal into a beautiful model of ag machinery. Purchasing tires, paint, and many other components was only half the work. The rest of the time was spent rebuilding the engine or doing bodywork to the hood, or just plain locating parts. I had finished by September and had brought back a new life to the half decade old tractor. I filled out an extensive workbook which was sent in for judging in the National Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition. In October I was notified as being one of twelve National finalists and would have to make a PowerPoint presentation to a panel of judges at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. I had to prepare greatly since all the other finalists were well prepared just like me. I was ecstatic to place third out of twelve and took home fifteen hundred dollars for my award. It was a great experience and that of which most FFA members never forget. I still have my tractor and I'm looking toward future restorations as well because it is definitely an addicting hobby. Once you have one you can't stop there. I would recommend that any FFA member should learn more about this challenging and fun competition.
Sectional Speech Contests, By: Krystle Ward, President
On Tuesday January 29, 2002 the Sacramento Section Speech Contests were held at Galt High School. There were about 75 students competing in the Job Interview Contest, Prepared Public Speaking, Creed Recitation and Extemporaneous Speaking Contest. The people who placed in the top four of their respective contest will be representing the Sacramento Section in the regional semi-finals; then if they make the cut they will move onto the regional finals. Congratulations and good luck to the following winners; Creed 1st Kalli Collins (Galt), 2nd Ashley Bacon (Sheldon), 3rd Amy Picano (Ponderosa), 4th Heidi Johnson (Ponderosa), Prepared 1st Jessie Bishop (Elk Grove), 2nd Kayleen Johnson (Ponderosa), 3rd Erin Wahlen (Elk Grove), 4th Katie Robertson (Galt), Extemporaneous 1st Krystle Ward (Ponderosa), 2nd Stacy Bushgen (Sheldon), 3rd Madona Elazzi (Florin), 4th Towanda Starks (Florin), and Job Interview 1st Shelly Reavis (Ponderosa), 2nd Ashley Meyer (Elk Grove), 3rd Juliana Van Egmond (Galt), and 4th Lindsey Lebig (Galt).
Sectional Officer Leadership Summit, By: Jordan Whitford, Sentinel
The 2nd Sectional Officer Leadership Summit (SOLS) was held January 21st, 2002 at Buhach High School in Atwater. It was put on by the Central Region Officers. This was an event including all Sectional Officers from the Central Region. At this conference our sectional officer team was introduced to many applications that will benefit the chapters within our section. They conducted many skits including the Dating Game, which showed how to pick and fill out an application for Star-Reporter, Star-Administrator, and Star-Advisor. The State officers also put on two team-building activities, one was that we had to make a satellite with only a few items. This showed our team-work, and creativity. The next thing we did was make a team Mandela. We had to think of our skills, weaknesses, and goals and put them on a poster. This helped us figure out what we need to work on. Sacramento, Merced-Mariposa, Yolo, Delta-Cal, and Stanislas-Tuolumne are the sections that attended. It was a very successful day, and we all enjoyed ourselves.
Galt FFA Adopt-A-Family, By: Juliana Van Egmond, Guest Writer & Central Region Sentinel
The community service committee (from Galt High School FFA) would like to say Thank You for your generosity during the Christmas Season with our Adopt a Family Project. The committee was able to raise $253.39 and a large amount of canned food and toys. We adopted 2 families, which were in need this Christmas season, each family with at least 4 children. On Friday December 14th, 2001, a few members of the committee along some parent help, delivered the money, food and toys to the families, as well as a Christmas tree with decorations to one of the families as well. Overall, the families were very appreciative for the generosity shown by our organization.
Regional Meeting/Elections, By: Jeremiah Sanders, Reporter
Get ready Sacramento Section, because the Spring Central Region meeting will be on February 23, 2002 at Delta College in Stockton. There the regional speaking contest finals (Creed Recitation, Prepared, Extemporaneous & Job Interview) will take place followed by the general meeting and elections. There the Central Region officers will be stepping aside and the new 2002-2003 Central Region officers will take action following at State Conference. Also will be seen is a special presentation about state conference to be put on by the state officers. On February 7, 2002 applications (and 2 letters of recommendation) for Central Region Office is due and will follow with interviews on February 11, 2002. The interview schedule will be executed as follows: Place- Modesto Junior College; Times (accruing to section) Stanislaus/Tuolumne Section 2:30 PM, Delta Cal Section - 3:30 PM, Merced/Mariposa Section - 4:30 and Sacramento (and Yolo) Sections 5:30 PM. Good Luck to all who apply and extra special Good Luck to the following from Sacramento Section that we know running; Ron Lagrama, Leeman Parker, Jeremiah Sanders and Krystle Ward.
The State Officers, By: 2001-2002 California State FFA Officers, Guest Writers
An experience of a lifetime, what does that really mean? Through this past year, we have each said, An experience of a lifetime more than once when describing our year. Our year started out with six individuals. We are proud to say that we have grown into a team as one! It is as a team that we have been truly able to take part in an experience of a lifetime. We feel that our team is successful because we are all so different. We each bring our own strengths that allow us to grow from each other through out our year of service. We have been each others teammates, new best friends, and family members over the past months. As we grew as a team our, experience of a lifetime, continued to grow into the best adventure ever. Out on the road, whether we were traveling in the desert or through the red woods we never seemed to have a dull moment! Whether we were thinking about new members and teachers we were about to meet or what we could do to entertain each other while out on the road, we simply had FUN! Yet, our experience of a lifetime just didnt happen out on the road. It also took place in Elk Grove, home of the State Officer house. Sure, this is were we ignite all of our ideas and cultivate them into something to be used through out the year. However, the State Officer house is where most of our team bonding happens. From hiding miscellaneous vegetables in each others beds, our famous food fights, wrestling matches, making random videos, dressing up in costumes, and especially our heart to heart talks. Our year has been, an experience of a lifetime, & because of the word TEAM. We encourage all members to understand the importance of team. Thanks to all of you who we have met this year for truly making it an experience of a lifetime!
Sheldon FFA, By: Sheldon FFA Chapter Officers & Advisor, Guest Writers
The Sheldon FFA continues to have a very busy year. Members have taken part in a variety of activities including meetings, banquets, conferences and contests. We were able to initiate over forty new Greenhands on November and look forward to another Greenhand Initiation in March. We have had two successful food faires where we serve tri-tip sandwiches and will take part in two more in the upcoming months. Our chapter was lucky enough to enjoy a visit from State Officers Jacob Wenger and Becky Roland. Our officers are busy planning the festivities for National FFA Week. We will have a variety of activities for students to participate in during both lunches. Due to Monday being a holiday, the activities will begin on Tuesday. Tuesdays activity will be a pie-eating contest. On Wednesday students will be able to try hay bucking and roping. Thursdays activity will be a goat-milking contest. On Friday a petting zoo will be available for students to enjoy. We are very proud of Stacy Bushgen and Ashley Bacon for their success in the sectional speaking contests. Stacy received 2nd in Extemporaneous Speaking and Ashley was 2nd in Creed Recitation. They are busy practicing for the next level of competition on February 14th. Spring looks to be as busy as ever with contests, county fair and State FFA Convention rapidly approaching. Our chapter would like to take this opportunity to wish all other Sacramento Section Chapters good luck in their springtime activities!
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