Olympia FFA Alumni news for February

[February 21, 2012]  STANFORD -- Food, family fun, friendship, excitement, suspense: These are all words that can be used to describe the 10th annual pork chop dinner and silent auction of the Olympia High School FFA Alumni. The event was at Olympia High School on Feb. 3, in conjunction with the sophomore and varsity boys basketball games versus Normal University High School.

Even though Olympia High School lost two hard-fought games to U-High, the fundraiser sold approximately 600 pork chop sandwiches. There was also a nice array of items for people to bid on, with money going to support the Olympia FFA Alumni and the Olympia High School FFA in various ways.

This was also the "Pack the Place Night" with a large crowd on hand. Several people were inducted into the Olympia High School Hall of Fame. Those recognized were Mike Lootens of Bloomington, Jessie Shay of Atlanta and Bill Deloria of Atlanta, the 2002-2003 Olympia High School varsity girls softball team coached by Al Toliver of Danvers, and the 2000-2001 Olympia High School wrestling team coached by Mike Manahan of Bloomington.

Olympia FFA Alumni February meeting

The Olympia High School FFA Alumni had a monthly chapter meeting on Feb. 9 in the high school ag room, with Sharon Hartzold presiding.

Carrie Glaser gave a secretary's report and the treasurer's report as Michelle Ott was unable to attend.

The group talked about the recent pork chop dinner and silent auction and discussed what improvements may be made for next year and what went well for the event. The chapter decided to give a donation to the Olympia Booster Club for providing some snack desserts for the dinner.

Corrine Brown gave an update on what her ag classes are doing so far and told about the practice proficiency interviews scheduled for Feb. 13. Four FFA members were to be judged by some FFA Alumni members in a practice interview to help them get ready for the FFA contest at Pontiac High School on Feb. 15.

Mrs. Brown also gave a report on FFA chapter activities that will be going on during FFA Week, along with an update on when the FFA Alumni group will have interviews for any potential recipients of the $1,000 scholarship the chapter awards to a graduating senior.

There was also an update on the Monsanto grant the group is trying to get to develop an aquaculture program in the school greenhouse.

In new business, the group talked about the FFA plot and plans for this year. Also, the annual Ag Day hosted by the chapter will be in May, with more details to be announced.

The next meeting of the alumni chapter will be on March 9.

The 2011-2012 Olympia High School FFA Alumni officers are:

• President: Sharon Hartzold, Danvers

• Vice president: Michael Wheet, Hopedale

• Secretary: Carrie Glaser, Danvers

• Treasurer: Michelle Ott, Danvers

• Reporter: Kyle Haning, Delavan

• Member at large: Don Begolka, Lincoln

The chapter is under the direction of Corrine Brown, the Olympia High School vo-ag teacher.

[Text from file received from Kyle Haning]