Auction success at GCMS

GIBSON CITY – Thanks to the efforts of the community, this year’s GCMS FFA scholarship auction raised more than $20,000.

Over 100 donations from local businesses were featured during Saturday’s event in the GCMS gym. The idea is to provide a scholarship for every ag student hoping to continue their education – whether at a college or trade school.

“We really appreciate the support of our community this year and every other year,” said FFA vice-president Kylee Mueller.

Money raised also helps the chapter with various activities throughout the year such as attending conventions and conferences and classroom upgrades.

“It’s really great to see that the community gives back to us like this,” noted sentinel Skyler Niemann.

This has been a busy and successful year for the GCMS FFA chapter, according to advisor Jeff Reale. Section proficiencies and state degree interviews took place in the past week with livestock CDE preparations underway. Also, the chapter banquet is planned for early May.

“We started out the year with horse judging in September then we went into soils, then dairy and now we are in livestock,” explained Mueller.

Historian Rachel Quinley feels FFA is the perfect chance to develop life skills and is happy with what she has experienced so far.

“I do the public speaking CDE and that has helped me a lot.”

Reale is very proud of the time and energy his students have put into the auction.

“This auction is all student led,” Reale said. “They’ve done a wonderful job.”

Thanks to our 2020 FFA sponsors making our coverage of local auctions possible this year: State Representatives Tom Bennett & Dan Brady, Pontiac Flying Service, Joan Bullard Realty and Vulcan Equipment.