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Granite Falls High School FFA students made the trek to Kennewick on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, to compete in the 93^rd Annual Washington State FFA Convention and Expo. While driving over members fo the FFA learned about the history and the diverse agriculture of Washington State.

Ellie Schoch competed in the Employment Skills Leadership Development Event. For this event, Ellie was evaluated on a resume, cover letter, job description, and her ability to interview for the position she chose as a Veterinary Assistant. Ellie learned important skills that will prepare her for her future beyond high school. Ellie placed 18th in the state for Employment Skills. Ellie was coached to her success by Mr. Hall.

Nathan Town, Kaydence Huss, and Charlee Rohn, first-year members, competed in a knowledge test from components of the Three Circle Model of Agricultural Education (Classroom knowledge, FFA/Leadership, and SAE, as well, careers in Agriculture). They then were given a prompt to work together to plan a community picnic. They felt amazing after finishing and show interest in competing next year as a team in the Agricultural Communications CDE. These individuals were coached by Ms. Ellinghaus.

During the first session of the convention, Granite Falls was recognized for their 8^th place finish in Poultry Evaluation that they earned in April. The members who competed in this event were Ayla Gill, Ellie Schoch, Kaydence Huss, Erika Westphal, and Sophie Williams. They were coached by Mr. Hall. (To watch them on stage, click here.)

Throughout the State Convention, Ayla Gill served as the chapter delegate voting on new changes for the association, learning how to properly use parliamentary procedure, and voting for the 2023-2024 state officer team. Ayla was elected to serve as her committee's secretary. She brought information back to the nightly chapter meetings to get chapter members feedback to provide a voice for Granite Falls FFA at the state level. She spoke during the third session about her committee's decisions. (To watch her on stage, click here).

Nathan Town competed in the Creed Speaking contest placing 17^th in the State for his knowledge of the FFA Creed and question answering. Nathan was coached by both Ms. Ellinghaus and Mr. Hall.

The Veterinary Science team competed Friday afternoon for their spot in the Top 25. They competed in a knowledge test, math test, and identification test of animals and tools used in industry. During the 2^nd session of the Expo they learned they would be advancing to the Top 25 from the teams competing. On Saturday, Ellie Schoch, Aurelia Crockett, Hunter Mallery, Max Williams, and Erica Westphal competed in their practicums and Team Activity. Their practicums related to restraint of a dog for Cephalic Venipuncture, Administering a Sub-Cutaneous Injection, Applying a nylon Muzzle, and Prescription filling. For the team activity, they were given 15 mins to prepare for a presentation relating to Canine Parasite Prevention. They received amazing remarks for their work in their presentation. After the contest, we were notified that they had made it into the top 8 and would be recognized on stage for their hard work. As the team was on Stage, it was a magical moment hearing Ellie Schoch's name called for placing 7^th individually out of 250 + participants in the contest. The Veterinary Science team placed 4^th in the State of Washington, the highest placing Granite Falls FFA has ever been awarded in this tough contest. (Here is a link to watch it on Stage )

The chapter officer team at last year's retreat set a goal to compete in the National Chapter contest for the first time at Granite Falls. Ayla Gill, Ellie Schoch, and Aurelia Crockett filled out the application for about 15 events our chapter does throughout the year. From this application they complete a 15 min presentation about the chapter and the events, planning process, and if they met their goals. They received amazing remarks on their presentation about how well put together they were, their speaking voice, and enthusiasm. They even got the projector to turn on after the advisor struggled for a few mins to get it to turn on. They’re being recognized 6^th in the state. With a few minor tweaks to their application, it will be forwarded to National FFA for review with the potential of attending Nationals in the fall. These individuals were under the guidance of Ms. Ellinghaus.  (To see us recognized on Stage Click on this link )

Granite Falls FFA, also had two members recognized as State FFA Degree recipients. Ava Lester and Aurelia Crockett put in over 300 hours into their SAE Projects, have been FFA members for more than 2 years, served in leadership roles in the chapter, completed at least 20 hours of community service, and competed above the chapter level in at least 5 events. This is the first FFA State degree in over 20 years for Granite Falls. Also, three members were recognized for their proficiency awards for their SAE projects. Ava Lester, 2^nd in Equine Management, Sadie Papp, 2^nd in Poultry Production, and Aurelia Crockett, 2^nd in Rabbit Production. Aurelia's will be forwarded onto Nationals for Review. 

All members attended nightly sessions hosted by the State Officer teams and Washington FFA State staff. They heard retiring addresses from all of the state officers and a Keynote Address from the National FFA Eastern Region Vice President. These students were moved to bring information back to our members and students. 

On Thursday, April 27th, the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Region 109 hosted an awards ceremony for all of Snohomish County School Districts at the Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center in Everett, Washington.

Attendees enjoyed a spread of delicious desserts provided by culinary arts students from several districts which included Arlington, Granite Falls, Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center and Sultan School Districts. Kamiak High School choir students performed for the crowd. The WASA awards banquet allows each district to award a Student Achievement Leader and Community Leadership as part of the recognition ceremony. Superintendent Larry Francois introduced Granite Falls School District recipients, alongside Superintendent Dr. Josh Middleton, by presenting an award to the Granite Falls High School teachers Trudy Sullivan and Eric Dinwiddie and an award to Sherriff Tom Dalton while reading the following statements:

Student Achievement Leadership Award

December 2023 marked the 20^th year of the Granite Falls School District Food Drive. Trudy Sullivan and Eric Dinwiddie, teachers at Granite Falls High School, are the advisors who support this massive venture providing dozens of student-leaders a life-changing experience of collecting, sorting and distributing food, clothes and toys during the holiday season. Trudy and Eric kick off the annual experience by making appearances to students and the community as Mr. and Mrs. Clause.  They lead a large team of students and staff who schedule food collection days, design and deliver giving tree tags, inventory all collection items and place them in individually identified boxes based on family needs and requests. Monetary donations reach upwards of $23,000 plus and the total food items collected exceeded 15,000 items this year. Trudy and Eric are prime examples of what dedication, hard work and commitment look like to their students and peers and hundreds of grateful families. They are both well deserving of the Student Achievement Leadership Award.

Community Leadership Award

The City of Granite Falls has been contracting with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Department for 9 years to provide a police force for the town.  While the relationship between the police department and school district has always been positive, when Tom Dalton was appointed to the position of Chief, that relationship has only grown stronger.  Granite Falls School District does not have a School Resource Officer, and even if it had the funds, the shortage of law enforcement officers would prevent having an SRO.  Then Chief Dalton arrives and while he is not an SRO he has articulated to the city council and school board that school safety is his top priority.  He is always a phone call away, attends school staff and board meetings, does walk-through security checks and advises us on best practices.  Chief Dalton is well respected within the school district and community.  He holds Coffee with the Chief every two months and speaks freely with citizens who packed the room to listen and learn more about law enforcement in town.  Though Chief Dalton is a University of Montana Grizzly fan and Superintendent Middleton is a Montana State Bobcat fan, they find a strong agreement that creating a safe environment for students and staff is paramount for student learning.