Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 3, 1993 TAG: 9308030023
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joanne Anderson
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Pulaski group was selected as the outstanding FFA chapter in community service in the Appalachian area, in part for its projects during the school year.
Members built 500 bluebird houses and distributed them to area residents. They also constructed and painted panels used to pen animals for the farm animal display at the New River Valley Fair.
Participants competed in livestock, dairy and horticulture judging, extemporaneous speaking, talent show and tractor driving.
The highest membership honor, the State FFA Degree, is presented to fewer than 2 percent of the state's 13,000 members. The following chapter members, all 1993 graduates, were awarded this recognition:
\ JEFF HEDGE of Snowville, son of Jimmy Hedge and Cindy Dowdy, is experienced working with beef cattle and horses and on a local dairy farm.
\ STEVEN KILBY has been local chapter reporter and vice president and attended the national FFA convention in Kansas City this year. He is the son of Layne and Barbara Kilby and works on his family's beef cattle farm in Dublin.
\ CAMBI MILSTEAD, daughter of Clem and Ruth Milstead of Draper, has served on the livestock judging team. She works on her family's horse farm and home improvement business.
\ PALMER, daughter of Randy and Debbie Palmer of Dublin, has served as chaplain, secretary and president of the chapter and was named this year's outstanding agriculture student. She trains and shows horses.
Cindy was named State FFA treasurer after competing with 25 applicants statewide. She plans to major in agriculture education in college.
\ CLIFF PHILLIPS, son of Sammy and Nancy Phillips of Draper. has served as treasurer and secretary and has been a member of several judging teams.
\ ERNIE RATCLIFFE, son of Don and Mary Ratcliffe of the Wurno community, has completed four years of agriculture education and served on many committees and judging teams.
\ DEREK TICKLE, son of Ruby and Johnny Tickle of Draper, has served as chapter officer and chaired several committees. In addition to being awarded State FFA Degree, Tickle placed first in the tractor operation contest.
\ CARA TALBERT, a rising junior, placed first in the state talent contest singing Reba McEntire's "Take It Back." Cara is the daughter of Mike and Regina Talbert of New River and is currently secretary for the FFA chapter.
Local adviser MIKE COX, an agriculture education instructor at the high school, has been elected president of the Virginia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association.
Cox will attend conferences and seminars and keep the more than 350 state members informed on their professional organization. He has taught at Pulaski County High School for 15 years and serves on several boards and councils.
\ CHRISTIANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL GOLF TEAM practice will begin Monday at 8:30 a.m. at Round Meadow Country Club in Christiansburg. For more information, call David Hurt at 953-1044.
A FRENCH LANGUAGE CAMP will be held for rising third through sixth graders Aug. 16-27. The camp will meet Monday-Friday for two weeks 10-11 a.m. at 2505 Manchester St. in Blacksburg. Cost is $50 per student. No previous foreign language experience is required.
Campers must be registered by Wednesday. Call Francoise Mizutani at 552-6006 for more information or to register.
Persons interested in participating in the FOOTBALL PROGRAM at Blacksburg High School as player, manager or student trainer should attend the meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the health room at the high school.
Parents of interested students should attend an information meeting on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Forms for parent signatures will be distributed, and insurance, team policies and football camp will be discussed.
For more information, call David Crist at 951-8683.
Joanne Anderson is filling in for Melissa DeVaughn, who is hiking the Appalachian Trail. If you have an interesting news item from your school, write to the New River Current in care of the Roanoke Times & World-News' New River Valley Bureau, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073.
by CNB