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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
New London combines Athletics, Fine Arts, CTE and STEM at FFA Night
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Friday, Sept. 19, was an exciting night as the New London Tigers met the Wapello Indians on the football field. The night was designated “FFA Night. The newly formed FFA planned an evening of fun and fundraising as well as providing enthusiastic support for the football team. The Marching Band joined the festivities providing the national anthem at the beginning of the game and an ag related medley at the half time ceremonies.
The community eagerly participated in both cheering on all aspects of the evening. Cow Pie Bingo was a hit. The FFA laid out a 10x10 square bingo card in the northeast corner of the athletic field. The numbers were randomly assigned to the squares. Numbers were purchased for $15. Ninety seven of the numbers were sold ahead of the time and the few remaining numbers were available at the gates as the crowd entered for the game. Little Nut, a FFA-owned heifer, was turned loose on the bingo card. Being well fed, she soon deposited a cow pie. The owner of the number, Susie Carter, won the 59-50 pot. She generously gave everything to the New London FFA chapter.
A silent auction of FFA baskets was available near the concession stand. The baskets were attractive and filled with desirable items. Bidding was competitive with many checking back often to make sure their bid still stood. The winners were announced at half time.
The half time show began with the new New London FFA chapter receiving a $1500 check from Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau has committed time and money to helping chapters start across the nation. Tne New London Ag Foundation has worked hard raising money to begin offering Ag and FFA programs at NLCSD.
Agricultural Education has changed and evolved significantly over the years. Once considered a Vocational Program, it now falls in the realm of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This dual identity ensures the combination of hands-on-skills and academic concepts. Many students are now employed in jobs related to agriculture but are not engaged in daily farming.
After the presentation of the check, the Marching Band played a number of well known tunes associated with farming and agriculture as the announcer read a short essay on the importance of ag and its relationship to our daily lives.
The Tiger Football team fought valiantly the entire evening. They did an astounding job during the first half. Wapello and New London were tied zero-zero until the end. Forty seconds before the end of the first half, Wapello scored a touchdown. The game ended with Wapello winning 20-12.
The FFA and New London Ag Foundation have many supporters. This special night in addition to Farm Bureau, Mount Pleasant, they would like to thank: Harvest Visionary: Farm Credit Service, Sinclair Tractor, Lehman Family Land, Cultivation Partner: Friends of Conservation-Henry Co, JJ Nichting Company, Pilot Grove Bank and Mallams Inc.
