National FFA Week at Bio-Med Science Academy
Bio-Med FFA Member Jesse Mitchell explaining to 8th graders how hydroponic growing works during the 2023-24 National FFA Week.
National FFA Week is a time for FFA chapters to celebrate what FFA stands for and share it with their schools and communities. Even though the Bio-Med Science Academy FFA Chapter is still fairly new, it has found meaningful ways to celebrate National FFA Week each year.
Although the chapter has only been established for a few years, the week has quickly become an important opportunity to promote agricultural education, recognize members, and build lasting traditions within the school community. As the chapter continues to grow, National FFA Week has played a key role in increasing awareness and involvement in FFA at Bio-Med.
“National FFA week helps us recenter our chapter. After hitting the year hard at the start, it gives us space to refocus, learn from where we’ve been, and move confidently toward the future,” said one of Bio-Med’s FFA advisors Ashley Gerez.
The chapter celebrated National FFA Week for the first time during the 2023–2024 school year. At the time, the chapter had only been established for about three years and was just in its second year with active members. Despite being new, the chapter planned several meaningful activities to engage students and staff throughout the week. Seniors Abbie Crawford and Jesse Mitchell shared their SAE projects, which included their work in the hydroponics lab. This allowed middle school students to learn more about hands-on agriculture experiences. The chapter also hosted a winter clothing drive to collect hats, gloves, and scarves for the Children’s Advocacy Center for Portage County.
Mrs. Kee posing with the goody bag that she won from the scavenger hunt.
Due to the fact that the chapter did not yet have alumni to involve in their celebrations, members created an egg scavenger hunt around the school. Students and staff who participated had the chance to win FFA-themed goody bags, making the event both fun and educational. The chapter also took time to recognize the impact of their agriculture teacher by sharing messages of appreciation on their Instagram page. To wrap up the week, members wore blue and their matching Bio-Med FFA shirts.
Members of the Bio-Med Science Academy FFA Chapter proudly showing off their matching chapter shirts.
In 2025, the Bio-Med Science Academy FFA Chapter continued to expand its National FFA Week celebrations by building on past activities and introducing new ones. Members once again highlighted SAEs within the chapter, further promoting agricultural education and student involvement within the school. Giving back to the community remained important, as the chapter collected materials to be donated to the Portage County Animal Protective League.
Bio-Med FFA officers with their raffle baskets.
To help increase engagement and support for chapter activities, the chapter sold FFA raffle baskets during the week. A major milestone for the chapter during the 2025 celebration was the involvement of alumni member Abbie Crawford, which marked the first time alumni participation was included in National FFA Week activities. Members also recognized the importance of their agriculture teacher’s impact, by creating thank-you videos to show their appreciation. During the week, the chapter hosted Ohio FFA State Vice President at Large, Josie Jennings, helping highlight how Bio-Med celebrates National FFA Week.
“I think FFA and National FFA Week is something that is so important to its members; we get to show off something we all love,” said Charlie Kamenash, the 2025-26 parliamentarian for Bio-Med FFA.
Officers with Ohio FFA State Vice President at Large Josie Jennings.
Although the Bio-Med Science Academy FFA chapter is still a developing program, National FFA Week has become a meaningful tradition that reflects the chapter’s growth, leadership and commitment to FFA values. Each year, the celebration has grown in both participation and impact, helping to strengthen the chapter’s presence within the school and the community. As the chapter continues to grow, National FFA Week will remain an important opportunity to build connections, celebrate achievements and inspire future members.
