May 2009 Director of Activities Report
BPA Nationals postponed by H1N1: The outbreak of the H1N1 virus had a direct impact on the Marshall High School BPA team and those students who qualified for the National Conference scheduled to be held in Dallas TX May 5-8. We can be extremely proud of the leadership provided by BPA advisor Brenda Kellen, as she was proactive in keeping our students’ safety first. Once the first reported cases of the H1N1 virus were confirmed in Texas, Mrs. Kellen began gathering information from the National BPA offices, the airlines and travel agencies, and from the health department. After having preliminary discussions between Mrs. Kellen, Mr. Willert, Mr. Jones, and I about what options might be available, we then looked to gather more information from the World Health Organization and the CDC to help us make an informed decision. Upon learning that the Texas Activities Association suspended all interscholastic activities for two weeks, our district made the decision to cancel the trip to Texas in an effort to keep our faculty and students out of harms way. A formal letter was drafted on behalf of Mr. Willert and the district and sent to all families involved.
The day after we made the decision locally not to send our students, the National BPA decided to postpone the entire conference, moving it to June. This means that our students will still have the opportunity to participate in this valuable learning experience. This whole situation once again illustrates the strength of our leadership and the ability of those people to make sound, data driven decisions that keep our students’ safety and education in balance. Thank you to Mrs. Kellen, Mr. Willert, and Mr. Jones in their efforts and assistance with this matter.
Tiger Activities Preliminary Participation numbers: Our FFA chapter has had another record breaking year, topped off with MHS student Kirby Schmidt being elected the MN FFA President. FFA leaders Eric Sawatzke and Paul Lanoue have provided outstanding leadership in helping make the Marshall FFA chapter one of the most successful in the state. Outlined below are some of the highlights from the year:
1. Schmidt Elected MN FFA President
Kirby Schmidt was elected to office as the 2009-2010 MN FFA President on Tuesday. His year of service will be highlighted as he leads the 9000+ members in leadership at state camps and conferences, travels the state, meets with President Obama in Washington D.C. and even has the opportunity to travel to China. Kirby will lead his energetic team of 6 officers throughout the year and plan all statewide FFA events. Congratulations Kirby!
2. Marshall FFA named #10 in MN, 1st in Community Development
Marshall FFA was honored by being named the 10th place chapter in MN based upon scoring of the National Chapter Award and 1st in Community Development. Award applications are ranked based upon quality of programming in the areas of member, chapter and community. The award application will be forwarded on to the national level.
3. 4 Members receive State FFA Degree
Brandon Boerboom, Maureen Carmody, Austin Sheehan and Maggie Toland received the MN FFA Degree. The MN FFA Degree is the highest level of membership given to members of the FFA. Approximately 3% of FFA members receive this award.
4. FFA members fare well in competitions
- Crops Team – 3rd Place Team, Gold Rating
o Kirby Schmidt –3rd Place Individual, Gold Individual
o Justin Clark – 9th Place Individual, Gold Individual
o Shane Schiavo – Gold Individual
o Ian Wyffles – Gold Individual
- Farm Business Management Team– 3rd Place Team, Gold Rating
o Douglas Fischer – 6th Place, Gold Individual
o Eric DeBlieck, - 7th Place Individual, Gold Individual
o Kenny Deutz – 11th Place Individual, Gold Individual
o Cody Hoffmann - 15th Place Individual, Gold Individual
- Agricultural Issues Forum – 2nd Place Team, Gold Rating
o Brandon Boerboom, Emily Bot, Josh Bruley, Denaca DeVos, Deanna DeVos, Maggie Toland, Damien Vandenbroeke
- Meats Team - 6th Place, Gold Rating
o Brady Welu - Gold Individual
o Anthony VanOverbeke – Gold Individual
o Sam Welu – Gold Individual
o Taylor Welu - Silver Individual
- Minnesota Farm Bureau / FFA Discussion Meet -
o Kate Merna was a finalist.
- Soils – 13th Place Team, Gold Rating
o Kaitlin Miller – Gold Individual
o Garrett Hallett – Gold Individual
o Giles Schoolmeester – Silver Individual
o Betsy Hansen – Silver Individual
- Horse – 27th Place, Silver Rating
o Maureen Carmody – 14th Place Individual, Gold Individual
o Courtney Otto – Silver Individual
o Megan Kumerow - Bronze Individual
o Cheyenne Smith – Bronze Individual
- Prepared Public Speaking
o Maureen Carmody - Silver ratin
- Nursery / Landscape – 16th Place Team, Silver Team
o Tyler Stahl – Gold Individual
o Austin Sheehan – Silver Individual
o Emma Hoversten – Silver Individual
o Eli Hoversten – Bronze Individual
- Best Informed Greenhand – Silver Team
o Sam Welu – Gold Individual
o Spencer Louwagie - Silver Individual
o Emma Hoversten – Silver Individual
- Market Plan – 5th Place Team, Bronze Team
o Erik Mather, Jacob Ternes, Tyler Stahl
- Poultry – Bronze Rating
o Justin Miller – Silver Individual
o Brian Willett – Bronze Individual
o Tyler Alcorn – Bronze Individual
o Spencer Louwagie – Bronze Individual
5. 8 members recognized for work in Proficiency Awards
o Tylee Norman – 1st Place, Fruit Production
o Maureen Carmody -2nd Place, Veterinary Medicine Placement
o Maggie Toland – 2nd Place, Nursery Operations Placement
o Kirby Schmidt – 2nd Place, Sheep Production Entrepreneurship
o Douglas Fischer – 3rd Place, Swine Production Entrepreneurship
o Kaitlin Miller – 3rd Place, Agriculture Communications Placement
o Eric Vandendriessche – 3rd Place, Diversified Agriculture Placement
o Nathan Harris – 3rd Place, Forestry Placement
6. 3 Members receive awards for AgriScience Fair
All three members advance to national competition
o Brady Welu- 2nd Place- Biochemistry/Microbiology/Food Science
o Taylor Welu- 1st Place- Zoology 10, 11, 12 Graders
o Sam Welu- 1st Place- Zoology 7, 8, 9 Graders
Tiger Activities Preliminary Participation numbers: We are in the process of beginning to collect our 08-09 student participation data and the early results look very encouraging. Our strategic plan indicates that one of our goals is to have “75% of the student body participate in activity program offerings that provide the opportunity for being regionally competitive.” In the 2007-09 school year, our 9-12 participation was just over 73%. Based on our preliminary data collected for the 2008-09 school year, our participation in all MHS activities offered is 75%, up from 73% in 07-08. Our early numbers by grade are as follows: 9th grade: 68%; 10th grade: 77%; 11th grade: 82%; and 12th grade 72%. In the future, we will be breaking down these numbers even further, but early indications look like we have indeed met our goal.
MSHSL updates: Multiple topics were discussed at the MSHSL all area meetings this spring. Marshall was a host site on April 22. One of the topics that received extended discussion was the continued expansion of online rules meetings. Historically, the MSHSL has required all head coaches to attend an annual rules interpretation meeting so that new rules or rule changes can be addressed. Over the past two years, the League has begun offering these rules meetings online, rather than asking coaches to travel to a designated location. The online meetings have been received extremely well. Many of our MHS coaches have opted to do the rules meetings online, and have expressed that not only is it more efficient use of their time, but they have also said they feel like they have gotten more out of the session when they are interacting with the cues on the screen rather than listening to somebody in a room full of coaches. There is an obvious cost saving with the online meetings as well. At the spring meetings, the MSHSL informed us that they will continue to expand the meetings offered online in an effort to help meet the needs of all.