Centre FFA chapter receives national award
Centre High School, Lost Springs, is one of six schools that received the Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agricultural Education Program Award Dec. 7 from the National Association of Agricultural Educators.
The award recognizes the nation's most successful agricultural education programs. Centre is in a region which includes Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Each of the six regional winners received a plaque, a cash award, and an expense paid trip to the annual conference in Kansas City.
Case IH sponsors the annual award.
Agricultural education began in 1978 at Centre High School. A short time later, the Centre FFA chapter was chartered.
The current program consists of 15 classes in general agriculture and agricultural mechanics. Innovative and comprehensive courses are offered by utilizing two classrooms, a metals shop, woods shop, lab room, and greenhouse.
Small class sizes enable instructors Cary Granzow and Gaea Wimmer to individualize instruction more often and tailor the curriculum to fit the needs of the student.
"The two instructors have a true passion for excellence, education, and student achievement, and they inspire their students to set goals and then achieve them," said Beth Riffel of Tampa, a patron of USD 397.
The program at Centre includes numerous service activities such as Adopt-A-Highway, community blood drives, and planting flowers for senior citizens. Centre FFA members have donated time and energy to assist with construction of the Lincolnville Community Building.
