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Future is here: Kentucky School for Deaf gets first ever chapter of Future Farmers of America: AMNews.com
After taking precise measurements, worrying about proper fit and several weeks of waiting, students at Kentucky School for the Deaf got the chance Monday to try on something they had been waiting eagerly for — their blue Future Farmers of America jackets.
The blue jackets are an outfit staple for FFA officers, and for the first time in KSD’s 187-year history, KSD students got to put on the jackets as they prepare to officially meet as a chapter for the first time this month.
Deaf deserve the FFA experience
In November, KSD received its national charter from FFA, making it a local chapter. The first official FFA event will be on Jan. 22 when Gallatin County High School’s FFA members come to KSD to install the chapter, FFA adviser Sandy Smock said.
FFA is a student-run organization that teaches students about agriculture, while giving them the chance to compete in many different agriculture-related competitions.
FFA president and senior Terrance Miller said he’s eager to experience FFA and to learn more about it. Miller said he knows about hearing chapters, but having a deaf one is important.
“I want the deaf to understand and have that experience too,” he said.
Junior Bradley Chappell said being a part of the chapter fits well with his interests, and will help him learn about future career options.
Having a local FFA chapter at KSD is important to many of the students who are taking classes in the developing agricultural education program, Smock said.
On the way
Smock, who is a first year teacher at the school, said even when she began taking steps to start a chapter, she didn’t expect things to happen so quickly. Smock expected to be choosing officers for the 2010-2011 school year.
The process to getting a charter is a long one. It includes writing a constitution and by-laws, developing a program of activities and preparing the high school students.
Smock started in August by talking to students in her principles of agriculture class about what FFA is. A homework assignment on the organization sparked their interest.
At KSD, 24 students chose to become members of the organization. Students who were interested in officer positions had to interview with Smock and assistant adviser Judy Burkhead.
Sophomore Bianca Dubree said many of her family members were involved in FFA, but because she’s deaf, she didn’t think she’d get the chance to be a part of the organization, so when Smock mentioned starting a chapter, she became interested and excited to be a part of it.
Dubree said she’s excited to learn anything and everything. “And I’m willing to learn,” she said.
Smock said the students will continue to get ready for next Friday’s installation ceremony.
“We’re on our way,” she said.
FFA will give students the opportunity to represent themselves in a public arena, Burkhead said.
“Our students can be successful off this campus,” she said. “I’m so proud I’m about to bust. They have come so far and done so much.”
After taking precise measurements, worrying about proper fit and several weeks of waiting, students at Kentucky School for the Deaf got the chance Monday to try on something they had been waiting eagerly for — their blue Future Farmers of America jackets.
The blue jackets are an outfit staple for FFA officers, and for the first time in KSD’s 187-year history, KSD students got to put on the jackets as they prepare to officially meet as a chapter for the first time this month.
Deaf deserve the FFA experience
In November, KSD received its national charter from FFA, making it a local chapter. The first official FFA event will be on Jan. 22 when Gallatin County High School’s FFA members come to KSD to install the chapter, FFA adviser Sandy Smock said.
FFA is a student-run organization that teaches students about agriculture, while giving them the chance to compete in many different agriculture-related competitions.
FFA president and senior Terrance Miller said he’s eager to experience FFA and to learn more about it. Miller said he knows about hearing chapters, but having a deaf one is important.
“I want the deaf to understand and have that experience too,” he said.
Junior Bradley Chappell said being a part of the chapter fits well with his interests, and will help him learn about future career options.
Having a local FFA chapter at KSD is important to many of the students who are taking classes in the developing agricultural education program, Smock said.
On the way
Smock, who is a first year teacher at the school, said even when she began taking steps to start a chapter, she didn’t expect things to happen so quickly. Smock expected to be choosing officers for the 2010-2011 school year.
The process to getting a charter is a long one. It includes writing a constitution and by-laws, developing a program of activities and preparing the high school students.
Smock started in August by talking to students in her principles of agriculture class about what FFA is. A homework assignment on the organization sparked their interest.
At KSD, 24 students chose to become members of the organization. Students who were interested in officer positions had to interview with Smock and assistant adviser Judy Burkhead.
Sophomore Bianca Dubree said many of her family members were involved in FFA, but because she’s deaf, she didn’t think she’d get the chance to be a part of the organization, so when Smock mentioned starting a chapter, she became interested and excited to be a part of it.
Dubree said she’s excited to learn anything and everything. “And I’m willing to learn,” she said.
Smock said the students will continue to get ready for next Friday’s installation ceremony.
“We’re on our way,” she said.
FFA will give students the opportunity to represent themselves in a public arena, Burkhead said.
“Our students can be successful off this campus,” she said. “I’m so proud I’m about to bust. They have come so far and done so much.”