Warsaw FFA Officers and Teachers – Front row: Mrs. Lynnette Markley, Mikaela Conley, Lindsey O’Hara, Alexis Ostrom and Karlie Dees.Back row: Sydney Susaraba Dakota Koontz, Coltin Brumfield, Bryan Thompson and Mr. Robert Hays

FFA is not just about farming; in fact that’s but a fraction of what the National FFA Organization offers. The students of Warsaw FFA at Warsaw High School are exploring all of the interesting opportunities that FFA offers.

“There’s beaucoups of things you can do,” says President Lindsey O’Hara, a senior at WHS. And O’Hara’s not kidding.

There’s over a dozen classes at Warsaw High School associated with FFA like animal science, food science and horticulture science. And then there’s other classes you might not expect, like sustainable energy alternatives, natural resources management and leadership development in action.

Many of these classes are dual credit courses, offering these students a chance to earn college credits before they ever graduate from high school. Additionally, there’s all kinds of extracurricular activities that FFA offers.

“It’s been amazing all the opportunities I’ve received through FFA,” says Sydney Susaraba, FFA secretary and a junior at WHS. Take, for example, the neat activities Warsaw FFA participated in last semester.

Thirteen students helped out the State Officer team with the Indianapolis State Fair by assembling the putt-putt golf, painting and landscaping. O’Hara and Jacob Semonis attended a week-long conference in Washington D.C. where they honed their leadership skills, met with Representative Joe Donnelley and toured the Library of Congress.

For homecoming, Warsaw FFA designed at “Grease”-themed float that made an appearance on the ABC57 evening news. It had a team pick up third place in the Indiana State Corn Husking Contest.

On the last weekend of October, six members traveled to the the 86th National FFA Convention. These students met with other FFA’ers from all over the country, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, attended leadership workshops and heard speeches from legendary basketball coach Rick Patino and other motivational speakers.

“FFA teaches you a lot of things about life,” says sophomore Karlie Dees. “You learn from all the people you meet.”

Feb. 15 through 22 is National FFA Week, honoring the efforts of FFA members, alumni and sponsors. Warsaw FFA has some fun things planned to celebrate. Approximately 200 staff members and all the FFA members and students in the agriculture classes were fed.

The group kicked off the week last Friday with “Official Dress Day” and the 18th Annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast. Approximately 200 staff members and all the FFA members and students in the agriculture classes were fed.

Here’s what Warsaw FFA has planned for National FFA Week:

• Tuesday – February 18 – Pasta-themed carry-in lunch and Corn Hole Tournament; Greenhand Banquet at 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday – February 19 – Leadership and Chapter Meeting practices
• Thursday – February 20 – Mexican–Themed carry-in lunch  and Corn Hole Tournament
• Thursday – February 20 – Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) program with the YMCA.  Warsaw FFA will be at Madison Elementary from 4-5PM

Each day we have themed dress up  days.

• Tuesday, February 18 – Favorite FFA T-shirt or Ag Brand
• Wednesday – College Apparel
• Thursday – Dress for Success
• Friday – Cowboy Up