Centralia FFA receives Top Chapter Award

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 20, 2023 – The Missouri FFA Association awarded the Centralia FFA Chapter a Gold Emblem, a Top Chapter Award. Centralia placed fifth out of 355 chapters. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive a top chapter designation each year annually.

The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. Chapters improve operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasize growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.This award is sponsored by FCS Financial. The Centralia FFA advisors are Scott Stone and Lori Lewis.

The Centralia FFA growing leaders activities included Build a Better You. Members recognized the need for resume help when applying for colleges and scholarships. One of the purposes of this activity is to improve the career readiness of FFA members by having them participate in a resume-building course. After members had completed resumes they  interviewed with local employers to receive constructive feedback.

Building community activities included Feed a Friend In Need. Centralia FFA members realized the school’s free and reduced lunch count was increasing but food prices were rising, leaving many in the community food insecure. During the activity, members collected non-perishable food items which were donated to five local families and the local food pantry.

Chapter activities in the strengthening agriculture category included Agricultural Education Support Groups. Students worked with the Centralia FFA Alumni and Centralia Young Farmers to build deeper connections in community service and fundraising efforts.

The top chapters in Missouri will compete for the National FFA Chapter Award. Winners will be announced this fall at the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

The Missouri FFA has 26,716 members representing 356 chapters. The national organization has more than 850,000 members representing 8,995 chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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