Club in Our Town teaches life skills
Updated: September 4, 2012
ARCOLA -- It's a club where students can take what they've learned in school, and use it in the real world. The FFA (Future Farmers of America) at Arcola High School does just that. That's why it's our Cool School for the week. WCIA-3's Jessica Shaw takes us to Our Town for the lesson.
This isn't just a lesson on agriculture.
"The FFA is an opportunity to take the things we learned in class, and apply it to a real world experience."
The club is the largest youth group in the country. Here, there are more than 50-members.
"It gives me extra stuff to do after school, and I get to meet new people."
Members take on projects and enter competitions; everything from livestock to carpentry.
"The kids will make their own design, and we'll take this material here and build it out of it."
Skills students might not have a chance to learn otherwise.
"This isn't something every person has inside their garage. And, even outside of this, if a kid wants to learn how to use it, I make sure they're safe. I make sure they know how to use it and they're free to use it."
Things that come in handy down the road.
"Illinois farming is a big part of business. There's a lot of farmers and it's good to know."
The club also reinforces those lessons in class.
"I can take an algebra equation and take it to figuring out the horsepower on an engine. That's something, if they want to go to work at a mechanic shop, they can take math they didn't enjoy, and use it in real work in their careers, " leaving students better equipped when they graduate.
The group's goal for this year is to take part in as many competitions as possible. Leaders hope to send some students to state.
This isn't just a lesson on agriculture.
"The FFA is an opportunity to take the things we learned in class, and apply it to a real world experience."
The club is the largest youth group in the country. Here, there are more than 50-members.
"It gives me extra stuff to do after school, and I get to meet new people."
Members take on projects and enter competitions; everything from livestock to carpentry.
"The kids will make their own design, and we'll take this material here and build it out of it."
Skills students might not have a chance to learn otherwise.
"This isn't something every person has inside their garage. And, even outside of this, if a kid wants to learn how to use it, I make sure they're safe. I make sure they know how to use it and they're free to use it."
Things that come in handy down the road.
"Illinois farming is a big part of business. There's a lot of farmers and it's good to know."
The club also reinforces those lessons in class.
"I can take an algebra equation and take it to figuring out the horsepower on an engine. That's something, if they want to go to work at a mechanic shop, they can take math they didn't enjoy, and use it in real work in their careers, " leaving students better equipped when they graduate.
The group's goal for this year is to take part in as many competitions as possible. Leaders hope to send some students to state.
