The District FFA Convention was held on March 11th in Rockwell City. Twelve MVAO FFA members competed in various entries, and 4 of those 12 members have qualified for State. Sam Schrunk (daughter of Laura Frye and Damon Schrunk of Danbury), Claire Schumacher (daughter of Amy and Nick Schumacher of Charter Oak), and Jenna Rosener (daughter of Angie and John Rosener of Mapleton) competed in Chapter Program and received 2nd place Gold and advanced to state. Emma Pithan (daughter of Stacy Seuntjens of Mapleton and Mike Pithan of Danbury) captured the first place gold with the Reporter's Scrapbook and also advanced to State.
    "The FFA members did a really nice job with their contests. It provides them a great opportunity to show their proficiency in different career areas or a way to try out something new," commented Advisor Jon Wimmer. "I had a few students this year who tried a new contest, and they actually did pretty well. I think that with both our Nursery/Landscape and Floriculture teams winning, it shows the strength of our Horticulture program at the school."
    Emma Pithan had some big shoes to fill with her scrapbook entry.
    "This year I am serving as the MVAO FFA Reporter," the junior in her third year as an FFA member explained. "Serving as the Reporter, you are expected to make the Chapter Scrapbook. The scrapbook I made for our chapter advanced to State Convention after being judged at District Convention."
    Not only did her work advance to State, it gathered the first place honors at Subdistricts.
    "My biggest challenge preparing for District Convention was making sure the Chapter Scrapbook was the best it could be," Emma continued. "I wanted to make sure that everything was done neatly and correctly. For the past couple of years the scrapbook has always advanced to State Convention. I wanted to make sure it had the chance to advance again this year!"
    "The Reporter's Scrapbook is so much work, but I think it is great not only for the contest but also for the memories that it creates," stated Wimmer. "Emma has been working on the scrapbook since October, and she really did a nice job on it."
    Sam Schrunk, also a 3-year FFA member and junior, is no stranger to the state competition.
    "Last year I went because our scrapbook received gold at districts and advanced to state. At state I also participated in our Chapter Exhibit which received 3rd place at State," she said.
    This year Sam was the tech person for Schumacher and Rosener in presenting the Chapter Program entry. The three took second place with their entry. But their success didn't just happen overnight.
    "My team and I prepared for Sub Districts and Districts by practicing numerous times," explained Sam. "We would practice on the ride there and before school some mornings."
    Sam is anticipating receiving a great honor at the convention. She will be receiving her Iowa Degree, the highest honor bestowed upon active members by the Iowa FFA Association.
    "The Chapter Program and Job Interview contests are different than the skills contests because they require participants to get up in front of people and speak, and it is a great opportunity to develop speaking and leadership skills," mentioned Wimmer.
    Claire Schumacher, a sophomore, second year FFA member, and second year state qualifier agreed that practice made perfect. She and Jenna Rosener had the task of creating the Chapter Program entry with Schrunk as their tech person.
    "To prepare for mine and Jenna's competition we always go through our presentation and pump each other up to get ready before we get called to go and compete," she said.
    "We had to receive a gold and second place at our districts in order to advance to state," added Schumacher. "This is my second year going to our State Convention, and I am very excited for this upcoming year."
    Claire will be busy during the convention. She will also be part of the FFA State Band, an honor earned through auditions.
    Jenna Rosener will also be showing her musical skills. Along with the Chapter Program presentation, Sophomore Rosener will be singing with the FFA choir. This will be her second year as a state qualifier over her two years in FFA.
    "Claire and I have been continually trying to improve our presentation based off of feedback from the judges at Sub-Districts and Districts," explained Rosener. "We've edited our slides, added more pictures, and merged similar categories."
    "I'm really proud of everyone who attended the contest and stepped outside their comfort zone to try something new in FFA," concluded Wimmer. "I'm excited to see how our events that advanced do at State FFA Convention April 19th - 21st."
    An article about the subdistricts and a picture of the participants can be found on page 12.
    Photos supplied by Mr. Jon Wimmer. Thank you, Jon!

    The weather has been a rollercoaster this Spring, and the rollercoaster continues. While this week has begun very nice, it is ending with chances of rain and even ice. Hopefully the ice is friendly and allows the Easter Bunny to arrive as planned. While it might be a bit dreary outside, Dana Hall will be going tropical inside.
    Kids and their families are welcome to visit the Easter Bunny starting at 9:00 on Saturday. Ringo the Flamingo, Tropical on a Stick, Coconut Bowling, and a Wonderful Waterfall and Pond are some of the games that kids 11 and under may play. The kids will receive prizes to take home and enjoy (while supplies last).
    Guests need to begin the stations by 11:00. The Easter Bunny will be present to hug or high five from 9:00 until 11:00.

    The firefighters in Danbury moved their trucks out on Sunday to allow space for their hungry patrons. There, the tables filled with empty tummies and emptied with full tummies. The firemen served their annual pancake and egg brunch on Palm Sunday, an annual event.
    To the right, James and Joseph Brown, kids of Beth and Alex Brown are nearly done with their breakfast.
    Photo by Allyson Dirksen. Thank you, Allyson!

    The nice weather has people itching to get into fields and gardens of all sizes. While a garden swap at Cord Memorial Library probably can't help with fieldwork, it could help with garden work.
    The garden swap will be held on Tuesday, April 7th from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to visit the library in Danbury to "shop" for "new" gardening items.
    In order to have a nice supply of items to swap, the librarians are now collecting garden-related items that you no longer want. You may start bringing your rakes, hoes, trowels, gloves, pots, seeds, plants - to Cord anytime between now and Tuesday, April 7th to share with other gardeners.