Living the Blue and Gold at Clewiston Christian High School
Members and officers wore their best blue and gold to support FFA and the agriculture industry.
National FFA Week celebrates agriculture, leadership and the opportunities FFA gives members to grow. Last year, members of the Clewiston Christian FFA Chapter spent the week participating in activities that educated others, strengthened their knowledge of agriculture and showed pride in FFA.
Teaching and Advocating for Agriculture
The U.S. Sugar Corporation graciously allowed the chapter to present one of their vintage tractors during Ag Literacy Day.
Ag Literacy Day kicked off the week on Tuesday, when chapter members volunteered to read to and teach elementary students. Officers arranged with a local business to borrow vintage tractors, allowing younger students to see agriculture equipment up close. The elementary students learned about the functions of tractors and planted their own crops in the chapter’s garden. The dress-up theme was Farmers vs. Farm Animals, and students went all out, filling the campus with pigs and cows, as well as overalls and straw hats. The day allowed members to advocate for the agriculture industry and teach the younger generation how food is produced.
Leadership, Faith and Community
The chapter’s trip to Gatorama was full of adventure as they learned about the work that goes into alligator farming.
The following day, selected members traveled to Gatorama for a field trip that connected agriculture to wildlife and conservation. Established in 1957, Gatorama operates as an alligator farm that houses up to 5,000 gators and crocodiles. Students learned outside the classroom and saw how agriculture, natural resources, and the environment all work together. The trip gave members a deeper understanding of the many careers and responsibilities connected to agriculture.
On Thursday, the FFA officers executed their carefully planned chapel for the whole school. The chapel service highlighted how God’s design in creation reflects Christian qualities, as well as the responsibilities farmers carry as stewards of God’s creation. Students proudly represented FFA by decking out in their best blue and gold. The day strengthened the strong sense of community within the chapter.
That bond within the FFA chapter is one of the things members appreciate most. Chapter member Gavin Smith said, “My favorite part of FFA Week last year were the activities that brought everyone together, like the dress-up days and chapter events. It was fun to see people get involved who normally aren’t very active.”
A Continuing Tradition
The week concluded on Friday with Teacher Appreciation Day. To thank teachers for their hard work throughout the year, the officers curated individual goody bags along with pamphlets explaining how each gift related to agriculture. Members dressed as their favorite teacher, bringing many laughs and creativity to campus.
Although Ag Olympics is traditionally part of National FFA Week celebrations, the chapter postponed the event until later in the spring because of scheduling issues. Members still looked forward to the competition and the chance to continue celebrating FFA. With events such as the annual tug-of-war over a huge mud pit and the newly introduced, but much-loved, water wiffle ball, Ag Olympics gives students the opportunity to spend the day outdoors in friendly competition.
For officers and planners, the impact of the week makes the work worthwhile. Chapter Historian Yazmine Carrera said, “My favorite part of helping organize and participate in events is seeing the impact it has on others. I love watching people learn something new, try something they’ve never done before or feel included because of the work our team put in.”
National FFA Week reminds members that agriculture is more than an industry; it is a community built on leadership, service and learning. Through each activity, members not only celebrate agriculture, but also continue growing as leaders who will carry the industry into the future.
