Plan of Activities

Oppenheim-Ephratah, St. Johnsville form combined FFA Chapter

ST. JOHNSVILLE - St. Johnsville and Oppenheim-Ephratah central schools are continuing to find ways to unite programs and activities for the benefit of students. Their latest venture is a combined FFA chapter.

Oppenheim-Ephratah Technology Teacher Kristy Rhodes and Teacher Assistant Judith Dopp had wanted to form an FFA chapter at O-E but, with no official agricultural courses at the school, that was not allowed by the national organization. This fall, Rhodes approached St. Johnsville Central School FFA advisor Mike Settle about forming a combined chapter.

"Mike was enthusiastic. We hit the ground running and the idea took right off," Rhodes said. About 20 O-E middle and high school students have signed up for the new chapter so far. In addition, one O-E student is taking the Agricultural Mechanics and Power class in St. Johnsville.

The first combined FFA activity was a team building exercise on Oct. 13, followed by a day at historic Lock 33 at St. Johnsville clearing brush and weeds. One of the first orders of business for the new group will be to decide on a chapter name and have t-shirts ready for the Barnyard Olympics at Vernon-Verona-Sherill Central School in early November. The "new" FFA chapter will also be going to Camp Oswegatchie in Croghan for a "high ropes" team building experience.

Settle said the students' enthusiasm over the new venture has been contagious. "Their excitement spreads to the advisors, the advisors excitement spreads to administration, and suddenly new opportunities are happening. With FFA being the largest student organization in the world, new opportunities can continue to appear for a long, long time."

2009-2010 Officers                        

President :         

    Megan Shaut

 Vice President:   

    Angela Banick

Co Vice President:

    Jordan Sela

Treasurer:           

   Ben Bergen

Secretary:         

     Abigale Roll

Sentinal:     

   Mike Foster      

 Reporter:             

   Amanda Nichols

Advisor:            

      Mr. Settle