b'BOK NORTH Ringing in the New Year FFA by KENDALL FARRAR, Bok North FFA ReporterAS THE YEAR CAME TO A CLOSE, Bok NorthMembers enjoyed hearing his perspectives on ouragriculture while providing students with real-world FFA experienced a month filled with achievement,land lab, chapter events, and Supervised Agricultur- experience in animal care, life cycles, and conserva-leadership, service, and holiday tradition. Decem- al Experience (SAE) projects. Clayton also facilitatedtion.ber showcased the dedication of our members bothinteractive workshops on Finding Your Why andPreparing for the Polk County Youth inside and outside the classroom, proving that ourdeveloping impactful Community Service Projects,Fairchapter continues to grow and thrive. motivatingmemberstothinkdeeperabouttheirMembers have been working diligently to pre-Competitive Success goals and service. pare their livestock projects for the upcoming Polk Vegetable & Citrus CDEs Community Service & Outreach County Youth Fair. Students have written buyer let-Two Bok North FFA teams proudly representedBethlehem Village ters inviting local businesses and community mem-our chapter at the State Vegetable and Citrus Identi- Our chapter was honored to participate in Beth- bers to support their projects at the auction.fication Career Development Events. lehem Village at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales.The chapter is also seeking donations of individ-The Vegetable TeamLaRae Lawson, IsabellMembers provided goats, calves, chickens, and evenually wrapped snacks and 2-liter sodas for the Lake McKeon,GraceSullins,andKevinMcKeonadonkeytocreateanimmersivenativityexperi- Wales FFA Alumni food tent, which provides free earned 17th place overall in the state. ence. Dressed as shepherds, students guided visitorsmeals and snacks for local FFA members during the TheCitrusTeamLaRaeLawson,Isabellthroughthevillage,helpingtobringthestoryoffair.McKeon, Grace Sullins, and Rory BrewerplacedChristmas to life. For more information or to donate, please con-10th in the state, ranking among the top teams inWreaths Across America tact jennifer.williams@lwcharterschools.com.Florida. This month, Bok North FFA partnered with theChapter SpiritTheir dedication and preparation are a testamentPasco County CattleWomen to sponsor and placeDecember Chapter Meetingto the strength of our program. approximately500wreathsduringtheWreathsHoliday cheer filled our December chapter meet-CDE Preliminaries AcrossAmericaceremonyinBushnell.Membersing as members built gingerbread houses, listened to Following the state contests, members returnedhonored fallen heroes by placing wreaths on veter- Christmas music, and learned about upcoming op-to campus to compete in district preliminaries. Bokans headstones as a sign of respect and gratitude. portunities. It was a fun and festive way to end the North placed 6th overall in Milk Quality & ProductsA retired Navy nurse also shared the meaning be- semester together.and 4th overall in Livestock Evaluation, qualifyinghind the coins often placed on veterans headstones, six members for the State CDE Competition in Feb- explaining how each coin represents a special mes- Looking Aheadruary. Preparations are already underway as teamssage of remembrance and honora powerful les- December reflected the heart of Bok North FFA continue to sharpen their skills. son our members will carry with them.dedication, leadership, service, and unity. With a Leadership Development Season of Giving full schedule of competitions and activities ahead, Middle School Leadership Conference For the fourth consecutive year, Bok North FFAour members are eager to continue building on this FourteenBokNorthFFAmembersexpandedmembers spread holiday cheer by providing gifts andmomentum in the new year. agtheir leadership skills at the Middle School Lead- handwritten cards to residents at local assisted living ershipConference,whichopenedwithaDis- facilities. This annual tradition allows our chapter to ney-themed session. Members from across Floridagive back to the community and brighten the season participatedinworkshopsonFloridaagriculture,for those who may otherwise feel forgotten during animalscience,agriculturaladvocacy,andleader- the holidays.ship, led by the Florida FFA State Officer Team. ThePollinator Garden Projectconference concluded with a dance social and clos- In support of agricultural education and envi-ing session, leaving students inspired and energized. ronmental stewardship, members successfully raised State Officer Visit over120caterpillarsintobutterfliesandreleased Bok North FFA was excited to welcome Claytonthemintoourpollinatorgarden.Thishands-on Keene, Area 4 State FFA Vice President, to campus.project emphasized the importance of pollinators in 34 | CFAN FloridaAgNews.com'