Clarke Central High School FFA chapter members Ashleigh Cummings, junior, Jacqueline Cuevas, freshman, Ma Aye, sophomore, Raymond Pan, junior, Lillie Schulz, junior, Zirali Tenas-Balderas, sophomore, and Emily Solis, sophomore, (left to right) stand alongside Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz in Athens City Hall to celebrate the start of the annual National FFA week on Feb. 24. Cummings has been a part of the CCHS FFA chapter since freshman year and enjoys when FFA week comes around. “My favorite thing about (FFA week) is just getting to spend time with everyone in FFA because we are all one big family, we all love each other,” Cummings said. “It’s just getting closer to people that I already know and just getting a chance to meet new people and just making new memories with them.” Photo courtesy of Ashleigh Cummings
National FFA week will be celebrated at Clarke Central High School the week of Feb. 22.
The Clarke Central High School FFA chapter is celebrating National FFA week — the tradition originating in 1948 as a way to honor President George Washinton — during the week of Feb. 22.
Clarke Central High School Future Farmers of America celebrate National FFA week with a variety of events. According to CCHS FFA President Raymond Pan, a junior, FFA week is meant to inspire potential new FFA members and to motivate current FFA members. Photo courtesy of Raymond Pan
“In the opening ceremony (for FFA meetings), (the script states) the independence that George Washington experienced by being financially independent, and that is one of the founding principles of FFA — to be self-sufficient,” CCHS interim FFA adviser Dr. Debbie Mitchell said.
CCHS FFA student affairs officer Zalayah Grant, a junior, believes FFA week showcases the growth that FFA has experienced.
“I always (like) the different events that (FFA week has), especially the ones where it brings the community in. Like community cleanups where we clean around Clarke Central, or even in the community. I love those days because if you know me, I absolutely hate when people litter,” Grant said. “I love cleaning up our environment and doing something so the entire community feels involved and they feel like they’re being thought of, but also they have a chance to help their community.”
Each day of FFA week celebrates a different aspect of FFA, which are symbolized in the FFA emblem.
The Clarke Central High School FFA chapter celebrates the 2020 National FFA week with each day representing a part of the FFA emblem. Some characteristics range from wisdom to perseverance. Infographic by Maya Cornish
“The adviser is symbolized by the owl and the adviser is typically the older faculty person that is there in case you need advisement. The plow is (a) symbol of hard work, and then the rising sun is the promise of the new day. Future freedom, liberty (and) new horizons is the eagle,” Mitchell said. “The outside circle, that actually is corn, and so corn is (a) part of the emblem because it represents unity because corn is grown in every state of the United States.”
According to CCHS FFA President Raymond Pan, a junior, FFA week is a devoted time to acknowledge the accomplishments of FFA members and to motivate them to continue their work for FFA.
“(Last year, for FFA week) we made posters, we had balloons (and) we were hanging ribbons from the ceilings,” Pan said. “It was really exciting for me because we were working together to decorate the hallway and it (was) something I see every day as I walk past that part of the school, and I know that, ‘Hey, I did this,’ and I’m kind of proud of myself.”
