Job Interview challenges FFA members to complete a job application, write a letter of application, participate in an actual interview and compose a follow-up letter.  Rachel Schartz placed second.

In Ag Issues, a team of 3-7 students discuss the pros and cons of a major agricultural issue facing their area.  The team from West Central captured first place and will advance to national competition with their issue “Should federal school lunch regulations be repealed?”  Team members are Maty Skinner, Anthony Lueth, Taylor Bergeson, Jared Blume, Dean Knuth, Rachel Schartz and Sara Waldner.

The West Central FFA Chapter is composed of students enrolled in an Agricultural Science Class and is advised by Linda Petersen.  The chapter was well represented by 16 members competing int he State Leadership CDEs.

The 6^th Annual BIG Idea Competition was a BIG success with 207 entries involving 299 students from 30 schools. The event wrapped up Thursday, December 6^th, on the campus of Northern State University and the winners were determined from among the eight final entries with over $5,000 in cash and scholarships awarded.

Rachel Schartz from West Central High School took first place with Canning Coaches.  Her prizes included a $1,000 cash prize from Absolutely!Aberdeen, a $1,000 scholarship to  NSU, and a $1,000 scholarship to Presentation College. Second place went to Austin Lentsch of Pierre T.F. Riggs High School for AJ’s Cakery Bakery with a prize of $500 cash, $500 Presentation College scholarship and $500 NSU scholarship. The $250 third place prize went to Alexander Thomason of Sioux Falls Washington High School for Braced With Style.

The final event required finalists to make a 1 minute elevator pitch and a 5 minute presentation on their idea for the three final judges.  After the presentations, all participants were invited to a panel discussion with Nathan Gellhaus of Angelhaus Regional Basic Care Center and Cory Geffre of Common Success.  They spoke about all aspects of being an entrepreneur.  Each panelist shared their achievements and struggles in starting and owning their own business, and offered advice for those who might one day want to turn their BIG Idea into reality.

This year’s BIG Idea competition also included an honorable mention award for those applicants who scored within 10% of the finalists. Students and West Central FFA members enrolled in the Agricultural Leadership class submitted entries for the BIG Idea as a course requirement, Sara Waldner and Lauren Dolly were among the honorable mention award winners.  The West Central FFA Chapter is advised by Linda Petersen.

The BIG Idea Competition encourages students to consider new ideas and opportunities that can be implemented locally and to support them in creating an entrepreneurial view of their future.    The competition is coordinated by the Small Business Development Center, funded by Absolutely!Aberdeen with support from the Aberdeen Development Corporation and area sponsors.

District CDE results are as follows:

Ag Issues – 1st place – team of Maty Skinner, Anthony Lueth, Taylor Bergeson, Sara Waldner, Rachel Schartz, Dean Knuth and Jared Blume

Market Plan – 1st place- team of – Rachel Schartz, Dean Knuth and Jared Blume

Ag Sales – 2nd place – team of – Ashlynn Henning, Cody Farmer, Layne Krier and Noah Larson

Prepared Speaking – 2nd place -Jorry Lammers and 1st place -Liz Renner

Extemp Speaking – 2nd place -Amber Weber

Job Interview – 2nd place -Maty Skinner and 1st place – Rachel Schartz

Ag Broadcasting – 2nd place -Sara Waldner

Creed Speaking – 1st place – Kaitlyn Schmeichel and 3rd place – Miranda Sundermann

Teams competing include Market Plan – Dean Knuth, Rachel Schartz and Jared Blume. Ag Sales – Ashlynn Henning, Cody Farmer, Layne Krier and Noah Larson.  Ag Issues – Rachel Schartz, Taylor Bergeson, Jared Blume, Maty Skinner, Dean Knuth, Anthony Lueth and Sara Waldner.

Individuals competed as follows; in Prepared Public Speaking – Jorry Lammers and Liz Renner.  Extemporaneous Speaking – Amber Weber.  Ag Broadcasting – Sara Waldner and Bailey Huls.  Creed Speaking – Miranda Sundermann and Kaitlyn Schmeichel. Job Interview – Jorry Lammers, Maty Skinner and Rachel Schartz.

The District VII FFA Leadership CDEs will be held November 13, 2012 at West Central. The top two teams and top three individuals in each CDE will advance to the state competition.

Members of the West Central FFA Chapter were one of 30 teams that participated in the National FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE).  The event was held in conjunction with the 85th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN.  The team of Melinda Knuth, Liz Renner and Rachel Schartz ranked  among the top teams in the nation earning a Gold Emblem award and placing 9th over all. The team earned a berth in the national event after winning the state competition in April during the South Dakota State FFA Convention.

The team was recognized for excellence in the team presentation category by placing second in the nation after presenting in the final four round.  Each team member completed an editing exercise as well as a communications test.  Individual practicums which members participated in included web design, news writing and electronic media.  The team was also scored on the media plan that they prepared to lay out the planned publication materials and activities for a community hunger fighting initiative.

Renner, Knuth and Schartz were each awarded individual Silver medals in the event which was sponsored by Bader and Rutter, Dish Network and Osborn & Barr as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.  The team is advised and coached by Linda Petersen, West Central FFA Advisor and Agricultural Education Instructor.

The first video was submitted by Liz Renner and Rachel Schartz.

We Built This country on Family Farms from sdsoybean on Vimeo.

The second video is brought to you by Jorry Lammers, Megan Dolly and Eric Wolfe.

A Word from Grandma from sdsoybean on Vimeo.

Thanks for viewing our videos!

Team presentations and Editing and Communications tests were conducted on Wednesday, October 24, 2012.  The top four team presentations are called back for team finals on Thursday, October 25, 2012.  West Central is among those top four team presentations!  The team of Rachel Schartz, Melinda Knuth and Liz Renner will present their Hunger Helpers Media Plan for a second time this afternoon.  Team members are also competing in event practicums which include Web Page Design, News Writing, and Broadcast Journalism.  Full results for the Career Development Event will be announced during an awards luncheon on Friday, October 26, 2012.  We would be remiss if we did not extend our thanks to Paulsen Media, Sherry Knutson, Andrea Johnson, Karin Renner and all West Central Faculty and Staff who have helped our team to achieve.

The West Central Fruit Sale is now on!  Choose from Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangeloes, D’Anjou Pears and 4 varieties of Apples.  We also feature cheese, sausage and 7 flavors of Butter Braid frozen pastry dough.  New this year is a Bavarian Cream Butter Braid with Chocolate Icing! All proceeds help the members of the West Central FFA Chapter to develop their potential for Premier Leadership, Personal Growth and Career Success. Please place your order by November 12, 2012.  Delivery will take place during the week of December 3, 2012.     We are also providing the option to sponsor an FFA Jacket for a member.

Thank you for your continued support of the West Central FFA Chapter and Agricultural Education at West Central High School!

Pictured left to right: Liz Renner, Melinda Knuth, Rachel Schartz and Linda Petersen

Agricultural Communications is one of 24 career development event areas ranging from job skills in everything from communications to mechanics.  The three-member team is challenged in all areas of the agricultural communications field.  Participants attend a press conference, utilize information gathered in a team activity and complete individual practicums in design, electronic media and writing.  Students are also  tested on editing and other communications skills.  CDEs help students develop the abilities to think critically, communicate clearly and perform effectively in a competitive job market.  The event supports student development of sound communication principles to become strong assets to the agriculture industry in the future.

Renner, Knuth and Schartz earned a berth in the national competition by winning the state Agricultural Communications CDE earlier this spring.  The team will compete for individual scholarships and team awards worth more than $9000 made possible by the National FFA Foundation during the 85th National FFA Convention this October in Indianapolis, IN.  This year will be the third team to compete in the national Ag Communications CDE since the inception of the event in 2002.  Renner, Knuth and Schartz are members of the West Central FFA Chapter and are advised and coached by Linda Petersen.