Month: October 2013

Scholarship Goat Breaks Record Bid at New Holland Fair Auction

jhackman FFA

One of the highlights of the New Holland Fair for local livestock exhibitors is the livestock auction that occurs each year on Friday night of the fair. This year local businesses teamed up to set a new record as the Grassland FFA’s R.D. Herr Scholarship Goat sold for $10.85 per pound. Travis Eby of M.H. Eby, Inc. and Kurt Good of Good’s Livestock combined for the record bid.

Bethany Sauder, a Garden Spot junior from East Earl exhibited the scholarship goat. The goat was donated to Bethany by Dr. and Mrs. Robert D. Herr.  Bethany took on the responsibility of caring for the goat and then showing it at the fair. Bethany did an excellent job of presenting the animal, placing 1st in her showmanship class. As part of the agreement she will donate one half of the proceeds from the auction to the scholarship fund.

Pictured are Bethany Sauder, Dr. Robert D. Herr, founding advisor of the Grassland FFA Chapter,       Travis Eby of M.H. Eby, Kurt Good of Good’s Livestock and Brian Oberholtzer, Grassland FFA Alumnus  representing Horning Farm Agency who served as guest auctioneer. The $10.85 per pound bid broke the record set last year.

 

The scholarship animal program has been in operation since 1998.  It started out as a scholarship lamb donated annually by the Herr’s and then shifted to a goat as their livestock operation changed. . The R.D. Herr Scholarship is awarded to a senior member of the Grassland FFA who has qualified by showing livestock and/or who is studying animal science or agricultural education at a university.  More than $12,000 has been raised for the scholarship program and seventeen members of the chapter have been awarded scholarships. The 2013 recipient was Jalisa Zimmerman of Narvon who is study pre-veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois.

Grassland FFA Leadership 9 Classes Select Officers

jhackman FFA

Each of the three FFA Leadership 9 lasses recently selected the officer team to lead their respective class for the semester.

Block 1: Chairpersons: Kaila Stoltzfus and Carson Lehman, Secretaries: Laura Snader and Sydney Nichols Treasurers: Austin Mueller and Jacob Graybill

 

Block 2- Chairs: Grant Sauder and  Andrea Weaver

Secretaries: Peyton Brunson and Heather Zeiset

Treasurers: Daniel Styer and Lauren Raupp

 

Block 3: Chairperosns: Samanatha Shirk and Christina Flood

Secretaries: William Horning and Lucy Danilyuk

Treasurers: Travis Rissler and Adam Weber

The officer teams have done a great job of leading their classes and have enjoyed a New Member Kickoff, a Career Development Workshop at Penn State and Livestock Judging and Safe Tractor Operations competitions at the Manheim Fair. A day long leadership retreat is being planned for early November at Refreshing Mountain Camp.

Student Embodies the Spartan Way

jhackman GSHS

The other day I heard a story of a young man who had went beyond what would have been expected of him when he noticed a classmate distraught about not having any lunch money. Without any questioning as to whether or not he would be paid back, this young man willingly stepped in and gave of himself to a person that was in need.

At Garden Spot High School we are working effortlessly to promote The Spartan Way (doing your best, doing what’s right, and doing for others), and this young man lived The Spartan Way in that moment. He did not seek recognition, did not demand repayment, but simply saw a moment where he had the opportunity to make the world around him better and did his part to make it happen.

For every one of these moments we are able to recognize, there are countless more occurring every day. The heart of our students and staff is amazing, and the relationships we are forming by conducting ourselves in a manner that reflects our core ideals through our actions and communication are creating an environment where everyone is able to feel welcome and valued. It is indeed a great day to be a Spartan. Thank you Tye Morgan for your generosity and genuine strength of character.