FFA officers enjoy experience

COLFAX – The president and vice president for the Ridgeview FFA chapter are passionate about agriculture and hope to take that passion with them after high school.

President Kelly Jones and vice president Katelin Donaldson are both seniors and have been officers for three years. Advisor Ariel Bunting will look to several underclassmen to step in and fill the roles next year.

“We’ve really enjoyed having their leadership and (they) will be missed when they graduate,” Bunting said.

Donaldson hopes to continue with the livestock side of things down the road and credits FFA with helping her feel more comfortable talking to others.

“I enjoy the experience – especially with the livestock judging since I want to go more into that with my future,” she said.

Jones is sad her FFA time is coming to a close as it is one of her favorite activities. She considers agriculture her passion.

“This is a good way to show the community that it’s not just sports here,” Jones said. “We are a rural school that has a good ag program.”

The friendships Jones has made and individuals she has met along the way are what she enjoys most. Jones plans to study ag communications in college.

The Ridgeview FFA auction is coming up March 7. This serves as the big fundraiser for the year as the chapter works closely with its alumni to organize it. Also, several activities are planned for National FFA Week during the end of February.

We visited with Bunting, Jones and Donaldson at halftime of our CIFN Sports Central Game of the Week last Saturday as Ridgeview took on Blue Ridge in high school basketball action. Ridgeview won the ballgame at Greg Halbleib had the play-by-play on the Central Illinois Farm Network Facebook page.