California FFA News Fall 2019 | Page 5

Photo Captions (starting opposite page, upper left, rotating clockwise): The winning “Pen of Three Market Hogs,” proudly presented by McArthur FFA Chapter at the Inter-Mountain Fair; the advanced ag leadership class along with 2018-2019 California State officers Kyler and Orrin during the state officer visit at Burney Falls; McArthur FFA ready to start Lil’ Aggies Day which took place May 2019; 2017-2018 McArthur FFA officer team welcoming California FFA officers Luke and Hunter for the state officer visit; the 1st annual “Candy Chuck,” was hosted this year on Halloween. Many local kids came dressed up in their Halloween costumes and enjoyed the bucket loads of candy donated by FFA members; McArthur FFA members who attended the 2019 State Conference in Anaheim, CA; Lil’ Aggies Day where kids from Fall River Elementary School got insight on the agricultural world; and the officer team at COLC (Chapter Officer Leadership Conference), August 2018. strengthening students especially in the areas of leadership and communications skills. A strong work ethic in conjunction with speaking teams, CDE teams, and leadership positions provides the students many opportunities for skill development. The chapter has students with leadership positions at the regional and in a few cases the state level, with two former state officers in recent years. In addition, without strong administrative support our chapter’s success would not be possible. In the past, the chapter has had several counselors and administrators recognized for their support. In 2018, our principal was recognized as Star Administrator for the State of California. SAEs which include the traditional livestock projects, ag mechanics, woodshop, flower borders, ranch work, hay enterprises, wildlife, forestry-based, and landscape-based receive phenomenal support from the community throughout the year. The end of summer is capstoned with the start of the Inter- mountain Fair, the best little country fair in the state. The close connection the chapter has with the community offers a platform for student-based programs that serve as educational opportunities such as “Lil’ Aggies Day.” The advanced leadership class is involved in a FFA newspaper project, which circulates with the local paper, and all proceeds generated finance the class’s agriculture industry tour. Recently, the floral design class has taken on many school and community based projects. Furthermore, the mechanical and construction classes have been involved in modernization and reconstruction of community facilities. In conclusion, if your future travels take you close to the northeastern corner of California, be sure to stop in the school’s parking lot, take in the views, and relish in the fact that a place like “a slice of Heaven,” really does exist. • California FFANEWS • PAGE 5 • Fall 2019