3 Star again

Jay County FFA is a 3 Star chapter again.

The National FFA Organization announced Jay County as a 3 Star chapter at the national convention Oct. 31 in Indianapolis. It is the highest honor an FFA chapter can receive.

“It is an amazing feeling to show that the Jay County FFA chapter can earn achievements like this and we can give back to our community and really just show that our members participate within our community,” said Jay County FFA president Gabi Paxson during a phone interview while attending the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. “I appreciate everything that all of the members had done to help us receive that award.”

Jay County was also a 3 Star chapter in 2018.

“It’s always exciting to receive that award because it is a very prestigious award,” said Brittany Kloer, Jay County FFA advisor, “and every year we have to build on our projects and make them better to serve our community in different ways.”

Chapters apply each year for the National FFA Star awards — they can receive one, two or three stars — which recognize chapters that “actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization.” That includes evaluating the chapter’s efforts to develop leaders, build communities and strengthen agriculture. Also taken into consideration is providing educational experiences for FFA membership.

Projects that the chapter highlighted in its application included:

•The annual rock hunt for children during the Jay County Fair

•Its book drive from which books are donated to the local Department of Child Services office and elementary schools to be distributed to children in need

•Career experiences through which high school students visit local businesses to explore future opportunities

•The Working Today for a Safer Tomorrow program through which students complete the 10-hour general Occupational Safety and Health Administration training

Another aspect was the Washington, D.C., officer training program, through which Jay County FFA officers went to the nation’s capital. There they met with various legislators, including Indiana Sens. Todd Young and Joe Donnelly, and Rep. Jim Banks.

“I’ve been an education advocate for the past four years, and my organization has sent me to Washington, D.C.,” said Kloer. “And I’ve always enjoyed bringing my experiences back to the students. And I decided that it was time to take them out there.”

FFA chapters that earn the 3 Star designation are eligible to compete for the National Premier Chapter Awards and Models of Excellence awards.