The Genoa Penta FFA Chapter had an exciting and eventful month of October filled with community service, career development events, elementary school outreach, and opportunities to connect with the National FFA Organization!

From September 28 through October 2, our chapter held its annual canned food drive. We had an incredible turnout and collected over 14,000 cans of food to donate to the Genoa Food Pantry. This was a tremendous accomplishment and a great example of our chapter coming together to support families in our community. We are proud of all the students who contributed donations and helped make this event such a success.

Throughout the football season, many of our FFA members worked hard in the varsity, JV, and freshman concession stands. Members volunteered their time to serve our school and community during football games. After the games, students also stayed to help clean up the home stands, ensuring that our school grounds remained clean and presentable. We appreciate the dedication and teamwork our members demonstrated through these activities.

On October 7, our students traveled to Penta Career Center to compete in the District One Animal Management and Aquarium Management Career Development Events (CDEs). These competitions allowed members to demonstrate their knowledge, apply their skills, and gain valuable experience in animal and aquarium management.

The following day, October 8, students traveled to Napoleon to compete in the District One Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Milk Quality and Products CDEs. These events challenged members to use their knowledge of the dairy industry, evaluate dairy cattle, and learn more about milk quality and dairy products. We are proud of our members for taking the time to prepare for these competitions and represent our chapter.

On October 9, a large group of FFA members visited Noah Elementary School to teach third-grade students about leaves. Members helped the students learn about different types of leaves through educational activities, crafts, and hands-on experiences. The students also enjoyed snacks while participating in the activities. This was a fun and meaningful opportunity for our members to share their knowledge, encourage younger students to learn about the natural world, and build connections within our community.

On October 10, our chapter hosted its annual Creep for a Cure event to support a meaningful cause in our community. FFA members gathered in the parking lot, decorated their vehicle trunks, and created fun stations where local children could trick-or-treat, play games, and enjoy the Halloween festivities. This event brought community members together for an evening of fun while raising money for an important cause. All proceeds from the event were donated to support former Genoa educator Mr. Brian Edwards, who suffered a stroke last year. We are grateful to everyone who participated, donated, and helped make this event a success.

Finally, from October 21 through October 23, selected FFA members traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend the National FFA Convention and Expo. Members had the opportunity to experience the excitement of this national event, connect with other FFA members, explore agricultural opportunities, and learn more about the many possibilities available through FFA. The trip was an exciting experience that allowed our members to grow as leaders, make memories, and further develop their appreciation for the FFA organization.

Overall, October was a month full of service, learning, leadership, and community involvement for the Genoa Penta FFA Chapter. We are proud of our members for their continued dedication to serving others, developing their skills, and representing our chapter throughout the community and beyond. We look forward to carrying this momentum into the upcoming months!