Grove wins top award at FFA banquet
Being No. 1 feels good. The local Warren County Future Farmers of America chapter was named first in the nation for its Hometown Scholarship Program, as well as winning top ticket sales in the nation.
During Monday night?s 77th annual Warren County FFA Award Program, 200 members and guests gathered to honor parents, business organizations, sponsors, guests and FFA members.
It?s an awards program tradition to select one person as Outstanding FFA Member of the Year. This year one senior member stood out to earn the award, Michael Tyler Grove. He is the son of Sidney and Jennifer Grove.
For its fundraising efforts, the local chapter raised over $11,000 for the Hometown Scholarship Program. State-wide the program brought in $71,000.
Terry Kidd, from McMinnville Ford Lincoln Mercury, was presented with the Outstanding Service Award. Kidd was the FFA sponsor for the Hometown Scholarship Program.
?It is important for us to support everything they do because they are tomorrow?s leaders and I think they will be great leaders,? said Kidd. ?This is a great area to live in and these are great outstanding individuals in the Warren County FFA.?
The top 20 ticket sellers sold 2,200 tickets. Lee Allen Turner sold 356, Rob Hamby 253, and Tyler Grove 136. Not only were Turner, Hamby and Grove named as top sellers locally, they were also named as top sellers in the state.
The National FFA organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Among the numerous FFA members and guests was County Executive John Pelham, who is the first former FFA member and alumni to be elected county executive since the consolidation of WCHS.
?I desperately wanted to wear this tonight,? said Pelham as he changed into his FFA jacket. ?This jacket is very special to me. It has received great care and it is 33 years old, from 1974-1977. I know it is a little small but I have it on.?
Pelham credits his years in FFA for teaching him respect for others and responsibility, necessary organizational skills, the importance of public speaking, financial management, parliamentary procedure, as well as other life skills that he has used.