'Rewarding' experience at Ridgeview

The check-in table at Ridgeview's FFA auction held last weekend in Colfax / CIFN photo.

COLFAX – The 18th annual Ridgeview High School FFA auction held over the weekend was described as a rewarding experience by members.

The long preparation process started months ago when the FFA sent out donor letters and received either monetary or item donations.

“As soon as we get them in, we put them all into a spreadsheet and go from there,” explained Kelly Jones, Ridgeview FFA president.

“From the monetary donations, we find a couple of items to go pick out and buy so we can have a bigger and better auction,” added reporter Levi Zimmerman.

The Ridgeview auction is a highlight for the year which started last fall with new conferences for the younger members to learn what FFA is all about and to meet new people.

“There are different contests like CDE contests and state proficiency contests that people take part in,” Jones said.

The Ridgeview members are preparing for livestock judging and eventually banquet season. Advisor Ariel Bunting has a big group of senior officers this year.

“They are really excited about this kind of being their final auction. It’s a little bittersweet,” she said.

State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) of the 105th district even visited the auction Saturday evening.

“I’ve been to a lot of FFA dinners as of late,” Brady said. “It’s always good to be out, talk to folks and get their input on different issues.”

In Springfield, bills are staring to move out of committee and onto the House floor. The governor proposed his budget a few weeks ago and Brady has a different opinion on it.

“What we want to do is stay within what we did for 2020 and that was no new taxes for the operations budget.”

Brady feels this can be done if there is cooperation from both sides of the aisle. He said having a budget is encouraging and now the state must move forward by having something that lives within its means.

The Ridgeview FFA fundraiser included a pork chop meal followed by the silent and live auctions in the school’s all purpose room and south gym. Billy Bolen served as auctioneer for the evening.