FFA chapter attends national convention
Seventeen Jessamine County FFA members attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Oct. 23-27.
On the way to Indianapolis, the chapter made a stop at a glass-blowing facility; after taking a tour, they were able to create their own suncatchers. They also toured a local dairy, Fair Oaks Farm, which has more than 30,000 head of cattle, a birthing barn where students witnessed a calf being born, and a complete dairy processing plant. Members had floor seats at the Brantley Gilbert and The Band Perry concert Wednesday night.
On Thursday morning, he members boxed nutritious food packages in Lucas Oil Stadium to send to other countries and feed the world’s hungry. Friday, the chapter traveled to a local conservation area to clear brush for the National Day of Service.
Along with these tours and service projects, FFA members attended official convention sessions and listened to motivational speakers, including the words of the national FFA officers.
Jessamine County took a team of four freshman members to participate in the FFA Quiz Contest. All members had the opportunity to interact with members from across the country and “grow” (the convention theme) as leaders of communities.
West band hosts parents’ night out
The West Jessamine High School band is having a parents’ night out Dec. 7 from 6-10 at Warner Elementary School, located at 821 Wilmore Road, for any Jessamine County elementary student. Pizza, fun activities, a G-rated movie and adult supervision will be provided for $10 per child. Students can be registered at the WJHS band site at wjhsband.com. Walk-ins will also be accepted. All proceeds will go to the WJHS band to provide uniforms, equipment and items needed for the band. For more information, email westjessmarchingband@gmail.com.
Asbury to host ‘Hobbit Night’ Saturday
Asbury University students will be hosting "Hobbit Night" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Hughes Auditorium on Asbury's campus to celebrate the 75th anniversary of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book “The Hobbit.” The event is open to the public and serves as the culmination of Unexpected Journeys, a student-led literacy campaign in The Providence School.
Asbury students are partnering with Providence, an alternative school for at-risk middle- and high-school students, by spending time in classrooms promoting literacy leading up to the event. The campaign coincides with the 75th anniversary of the book as well as the upcoming release of the movie adaptation of the book.
The event is free and open to the public. It will feature live music from Asbury students as well as several “Hobbit”-themed videos created by media-communication students. There will be a reception following the main event that will include refreshments as well as “Hobbit”-related activities, crafts, a photo booth and giveaways.
Asbury professor and independent filmmaker Josh Overbay will be the keynote speaker for Hobbit Night. Drawing on his extensive background in the media industry, including directing 15 films and winning 23 cinema awards, Overbay will be speaking on the topic of story and myth, examining how Tolkien influenced American culture through the new world he imagined.
Sponsors of the event include Ale-8-One, Raising Cane's, Starbucks and Walmart. Audience members will have chances to win gift cards and other items from these retailers during the event.
First Youth Leadership class announced
The Youth Leadership Jessamine Advisory Council is proud to announce the first class of Youth Leadership Jessamine. Twelve students have been chosen to participate in the 12-month program designed to instill pride, interest and purpose in the Jessamine County community through youth leadership development, education and experience.
Participants are Jordan Marion, Steven Zajdlik, Jessica Abercrombie, Maddison Stollings, Felicia Farmer and Kayla Hill from East Jessamine High School; Derrick Simpson and Sarah Warren from West Jessamine High School; and Damian Rucker, Tyler Slugantz, Zach Johnson and Rachel Crutcher from The Providence School.
The course will begin with orientation on Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. at Jessamine Career and Technology Center.
