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Granite Hills’ FFA officers took a trip up to Scicon on Saturday, Sept. 24 to attend the 2011 “Chapter Officer.Leadership Conference.” There were kids from the Sequoia section to kings section who attended this conference.

The officers who attended the leadership conference were Madison Rice, Toni Lopez, Daisy Cupis, Dalton Mills, Joshua Woodward and William Miller.

This was going to be Rice’s first year attending this leadership conference and she was very excited for the day ahead of her. This was also Lopez’s first year participation in this event and she was anxious for all the new ideas she could bring back to the Granite FFA program.

This was Cupis’, Mills’ and Millers’s first time attending this conference as well. They were all ready to see what they could learn.

This was Woodward’s second year attending this conference and he was looking forward to participating in all the different games and activities the sectional officers had planned out.

Granite arrived at nine o’clock in the morning at Scicon. They entered the John Muir Lodge and were grouped up with three other chapters; Farmersville, Tulare and Woodlake. Those four chapters spent the whole day together going to different workshops and getting to know each other.

The first workshop the group attended was “Unique Chapter Ideas.” It was held at the Barton Amphitheater. Here, everyone was given a number between one and five. All those with the same numbers were assigned to one of the five topics; chapter meetings, trips, fundraisers, and themes.

All the groups had to come up with ideas on how they could improve each of these activities and help bring new things to their own chapter. By participating I this activity, the students were able to meet new people and build new friendships.

“This was a very helpful activity,” said President of Granite Hills FFA Rice. “I saw many different and cool ideas that we could bring back for our meetings at Granite. A lot of the different chapters had some great thoughts on trips and fundraisers we could hold so our program could improve.”

The next station was “Minute to win it.” This took place at the outside deck of the John Muir Lodge. There were different games that each group could play. In the games Granite had played, it was girls against boys. The boys won but everyone had a fun time playing.

“Playing the games was my favorite part,” said Treasurer Woodward. “I would like to bring some of these games back to Granite so everyone could play them. Maybe with these games we could get more people involved and show them that the FFA could be really fun.”

The third workshop was “Section Pump Up.” This workshop was held inside of the John Muir Lodge. Members were informed on the different upcoming events for FFA where they could all attend and catch up with their new friends they had met at this leadership conference.

The last morning workshop was the “Mixers”. This workshop was held in the Porterville Learning Center between the cabins Shafer North and Shafter South. Here, the chapters were able to play more games with each other. This was a way to get everyone moving around and getting involved with one another. Students were to work together and win different games between other groups.

During one game, four students were asked to go outside. They were given different scenarios to perform while sitting down. Those who remained inside were told that the people who volunteered were going to reenact how they use the restroom. This game got everyone laughing and having a fun time.

“This was my favorite game,” Reporter Mills said. “I thought it was funny how the people who were acting the different situations out didn’t know they we were told that that they had to reenact using the restroom. It was just really funny.”

Then everyone ate lunch. Granite sat down and discusses everything they had learned so far and thought of different ways they could incorporate these new ideas into out FFA program.

After lunch, the group headed back to the Barton Amphitheater. At this workshop, they were taught about public speaking. Everyone had to pick a partner who was not part of their chapter and get to know them. They then had to talk about their partner in front of everyone and describe their likes, dislikes, most embarrassing moments, favorite color, etc.

“It was a great experience,” Sentinel Miller said. “We had to overcome our fear of talking in front of people because we will have to use public speaking in the future. It’s a life skill we will all use and it was cool that we got to practice it.”

Next, the groups moved to the deck of the John Muir Lodge again. “Minitue to win it part II” was held here. Again, members played more games and got involved with the other chapters.

The third afternoon workshop was “Professionalism.” FFA members were taught the do’s and don’ts of being in the FFA. Members were informed on the right and wrong clothing to wear. They were taught to always use appropriate language and respect one another. FFA members should be presentable and always look their best.

The last workshop of the day was “Etiquette.” FFA members were taught proper table manners. Boys are supposed to have a lady to the right of them and pull their chairs out whenever they sit down. They were then taught the right was of setting up their silverware and dinning utensils. Though it seemed funny when they were getting taught all of these manners, everyone learned a lot.

Granite FFA did not stay overnight and left earlier than any other school. Though their day was cut short, these officers will always have the memories they shared with one another.

“I thought the conference went very well.” Agriculture advisor Danell Daniel said. “There were lots of different activities my officers got to learn about so they will make our chapter meetings a lot more fun for our members.”

Granite hopes to take next year officers back up to the COLC and stay overnight.

“I thought it was going it was going to be scary at first but it turned out to be really fun. You get to meet new people from everywhere. You meet people you wouldn’t normally think you get along with but you do and it’s really exciting. I hope to come here again next year,” Cupis said.