August 17, 2016
By JAMES EVANS
Rutherford County Schools
MURFREESBORO — Three Rutherford County Schools FFA chapters were awarded the "Oustanding" award during camps held over the summer months.
"Of the (six) weeks of camp, three of the weeks' Outstanding Chapters were won by Rutherford County programs," Eagleville FFA advisor Emily Marshall said. "I honestly don't think this has ever happened before, but it speaks volumes about how great the agriculture and (Career and Technical Education) programs are in this county."
The winning FFA Chapters from Rutherford County are Eagleville, Oakland and Riverdale. FFA stands for "Future Farmers of America" and "strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premiere leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education," according to the Tennessee FFA website.
Chapter officer teams must be active in officer classes, specialty classes, have a representative elected to Camp Council, and have a large sum of their members qualify for the gold leadership award to be considered for the Outstanding Chapter Award.
Eagleville's FFA chapter took home several honors including: Camp Council President, Macey Tollett; third place in Quiz Contest, Karsen Daniels; second place in Quiz Bowl, Maron Williams, Jeremiah Lynch, Jake Duke and Abby Miller; and fifth place in Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Jake Duke.
The Eagleville FFA officers are: President Macey Tollett; Vice Presidents Jeremiah Lynch, Tayton Hudson, Bailee Long, and Abigail Greene; Secretaries Anna Hayes, Abby Miller and Mackenzie Bracewell; Treasurers Tori Laidig, Carson Burns, Jake Duke and Calee Pineda; Reporters Emily Lewis, Chloe Smotherman, Katie Parks; and Sentinels Sydney Parker, Lytton Haley and Hayden Thomas. The chapter’s advisors are Bruce Haley and Emily Marshall.
The Oakland FFA officers are: President Amanda Leonard; Vice President (Student Development), Ahmon Watkins; Vice President (Chapter Development) Taylor Bell; Vice President (Community Development) Taylor Young; Secretary Lindsey Parsley; Treasurer Peyton Young; Reporter Emma Corson; Sentinel Isabel Ellis; and Historian Makayla Miller. The chapter’s advisors are Matthew Farris and Bonnie Holman.
The Riverdale FFA Chapter also earned other honors including first place in Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Luke Love; third place in Quiz Bowl, Kamryn Fox, Maritza Ocequera, Allison Glover and Natasha Hudson; and fourth place in Quiz Contest, Danielle Gruenke. They were awarded numerous outstanding bronze, silver and gold leadership awards, as well as Best Sports and Best Athletes.
The Riverdale FFA Senior Officers are: President Allison Glover; Vice-President Elizabeth Whitt; Secretary Danielle Gruenke; Treasurer Kamryn Fox; Reporter Kera Pasquarilla; Sentinel Brandon Thomas; and Chaplain Whitley Allen. Their Junior Officer Team consists of the following members: Luke Love, Andrew Wood, Nick Oliver, John Cruz, Branden Holden and Maritza Ocequera. The chapter's advisors are Lucas Holman and Michael Shirley.
PHOTOS:
Top, Eagleville FFA members meet at the Amphitheater after the final session of the second week of Tennessee FFA Leadership Training Camp: Camp Clements.
Middle, Oakland FFA members pose for a picture after winning Outstanding Chapter at Camp Clements Leadership Training Camp.
Bottom, Members of the Outstanding chapter, Riverdale FFA, take a break after the hottest day of athletics at Tennessee FFA Leadership Training Camp: Camp Clements.