Blue Jacket Bright Futures Program
By Joslyn Schrank on October 20, 2017
BLUE JACKET, GOLD STANDARDS: FFA members are awarded their blue jackets from the South Dakota FFA Foundation at the meeting Oct. 17 in Emery. Members who were awarded jackets include (left to right) Hunter Uptagrafft, Connor Kerkhove, Jonah Hofer, Sarah Schultz, Lindsey Weeldreyer and Rylee Schultz (not pictured).
Students have a chance every year to receive a free FFA jacket. The “Blue Jacket Bright Futures” program is a program where FFA members can receive a corduroy jacket donated by businesses who support the FFA. This foundation proudly supports Agricultural Education and the FFA's mission to make a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
A record-breaking 343 South Dakota FFA members across the state received personalized jackets this week. Seven students applied from the Bridgewater-Emery high school and six received a jacket. The following students now have their own blue jacket: Connor Kerkhove, Hunter Uptagrafft, Jonah Hofer, Lindsey Weeldreyer, Rylee Schultz and Sarah Schultz.
“I was excited to hear that I received a jacket. I cannot wait to see what areas in life FFA will help me to grow in as I continue my FFA career,” freshman Connor Kerkhove said.
There is a limit to how many students can apply in each chapter. Only 10% of their FFA members are allowed to apply for a jacket. When applying, students must fill out information about themselves and answer a few short essay questions. The short answer questions consist of the following: why they chose to sign up for Agriculture Education and FFA, why they felt the need to have an FFA jacket, what having an FFA jacket means to them and what goals they want to accomplish in FFA.
“I applied to receive a jacket because FFA has always been in my family and I would like to continue that tradition. FFA plays a key role in my life because we raise cattle and farm. I competed in land judging and hope to compete in livestock judging in the spring. I hope to see my FFA career germinate from a seed into a big beautiful plant,” freshman Rylee Schultz said.
Jackets were sponsored by various individuals or businesses through the SD FFA Foundation program, welcoming new members into the organization of FFA.
“The FFA jacket is a recognized symbol of the organization and its leaders. Many former members cherish the jacket and all the experiences they have wearing it. It is great to see businesses sponsor these jackets because they are giving the members a fantastic opportunity to represent their school and chapter each time they wear the jacket,” FFA advisor Karen Roudabush said.
Individuals and businesses interested in sponsoring an FFA jacket for an SD FFA member should contact Gerri Ann Eide, SD FFA Foundation Executive Director at 605-765-4865 or [email protected]. Sponsorships are $75 per jacket
A record-breaking 343 South Dakota FFA members across the state received personalized jackets this week. Seven students applied from the Bridgewater-Emery high school and six received a jacket. The following students now have their own blue jacket: Connor Kerkhove, Hunter Uptagrafft, Jonah Hofer, Lindsey Weeldreyer, Rylee Schultz and Sarah Schultz.
“I was excited to hear that I received a jacket. I cannot wait to see what areas in life FFA will help me to grow in as I continue my FFA career,” freshman Connor Kerkhove said.
There is a limit to how many students can apply in each chapter. Only 10% of their FFA members are allowed to apply for a jacket. When applying, students must fill out information about themselves and answer a few short essay questions. The short answer questions consist of the following: why they chose to sign up for Agriculture Education and FFA, why they felt the need to have an FFA jacket, what having an FFA jacket means to them and what goals they want to accomplish in FFA.
“I applied to receive a jacket because FFA has always been in my family and I would like to continue that tradition. FFA plays a key role in my life because we raise cattle and farm. I competed in land judging and hope to compete in livestock judging in the spring. I hope to see my FFA career germinate from a seed into a big beautiful plant,” freshman Rylee Schultz said.
Jackets were sponsored by various individuals or businesses through the SD FFA Foundation program, welcoming new members into the organization of FFA.
“The FFA jacket is a recognized symbol of the organization and its leaders. Many former members cherish the jacket and all the experiences they have wearing it. It is great to see businesses sponsor these jackets because they are giving the members a fantastic opportunity to represent their school and chapter each time they wear the jacket,” FFA advisor Karen Roudabush said.
Individuals and businesses interested in sponsoring an FFA jacket for an SD FFA member should contact Gerri Ann Eide, SD FFA Foundation Executive Director at 605-765-4865 or [email protected]. Sponsorships are $75 per jacket
