Bell Middle FFA is #1 in the USA

By Carrie A. Mizell

Bell Middle School FFA has been named the number one outstanding middle school program in the country.
After a lengthy application process, Debbie Jones, Bell Middle School FFA advisor, said she was thrilled to learn that Bell Middle FFA has been named a three star gold chapter.
According to Jones, chapter members will start the school year this week trying to raise funds to attend the national FFA convention, which will be held Oct. 19-22 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bell Middle FFA Chapter’s 2010-11 officers Wyatt Aderholt, president, and Audrey Powers, vice president, hold a plaque similar to the one the chapter will be awarded at the national FFA convention in October.

“Our chapter will be showcased at the national FFA convention,” Jones explained. “With the budget cuts, the school district can’t really help us a lot with going, so we will have several fundraisers to raise the money.”
Jones said that Bell FFA has already sent in $3,000 to cover room expenses for the four-night stay. Funds to cover fuel costs involved in driving, registration fees and meal fees still must be raised.
“We have a ton of fundraisers planned for this year,” Jones said on Friday.
In September, FFA members will begin selling calendars and cookbooks, then on Saturday, Sept. 24, members will gather at Hart Springs Park to sell plants at the 1st Annual Hart Springs Nature Festival.
Initially, Bell Middle FFA Chapter was named in the top 10 percent at the state level during the Florida FFA convention, which was held June 14-17 in Orlando.
“All of the chapters fill out a national chapter application form one,” Jones said. “Then you have to fill out form two and include nine of the major activities your chapter takes part in, including pictures. You have to state four or five goals for each activity and list how you plan to achieve each one and then give specific results.”
That’s not all, Jones said. In order to have your FFA chapter ranked at the national level, a third form must be completed.
Five high school chapters are selected as the nation’s finest, or “Models of Innovation,” but only one middle school chapter is chosen number one in the nation, Jones explained.
In the Bell Middle FFA application, Jones said she showcased the chapter’s 94 members participating in chapter fun nights, visits to the nursing home, working with local food banks and the annual teachers’ breakfast, and several other activities. For more information on how you can help Bell FFA members go to national FFA convention, call 463-3232.