The Breaking New Ground Outreach Program/Indiana AgrAbility Project awarded four FFA Chapters cash prizes for their projects entered in the Bridging Horizons FFA Contest. The awards were presented at the Indiana FFA Convention in the last general session on June 16, 2010. The purpose of the contest is to challenge FFA chapters to complete low-cost projects in their communities that enhance independence and promote success for people with disabilities.
Jay County FFA Chapter won 1st place and $600 for their project. They built a ramp and made the doors of a one-room school house,used as a voting location,accessible for people with disabilities wanting to vote. Second place and $350 went to the Martinsville FFA Chapter for their project:building a stand for repairing small engines. A student who uses a wheelchair used the small engine stand as the focus of his senior project in English class to explain the challenges of working while in a wheelchair or with a mobility impairment.Hagerstown FFA Chapter took 3rd place and $200 for their project that assisted a local woman with upkeep and repair of her home, yard, and car. Southmont FFA Chapter was 4th and won $100 for their project to help residents of a local nursing home with flower and vegetable planting and to make the area accessible for the residents during the growing season.
Ed Bell, consultant for the Breaking New Ground Outreach Program/Indiana AgrAbility Project and National AgrAbility Project, is a proud father. His daughter, Nellie, was elected as the Indiana Southern Region Vice-President for the Indiana FFA Organization at their state convention at Purdue University on June 16, 2010. It is believed Nellie is the first home-schooled state officer for FFA. Nellie was also the first female and home-schooled president of the Hagerstown FFA chapter and the first home-schooled district FFA officer (sentinel and vice-president). Nellie also won first place in the Prepared Public Speaking contest at the state convention, in which she spoke about her grandfather (who had passed away just three days earlier). In addition, she won first place in the state fruit proficiency contest and will compete on the national level in October. Nellie was also the BNG ambassador for the Bridging Horizons FFA Contest. CONGRATULATIONS Nellie and proud papa Ed!
Submitted by: Steve Swain