While we haven’t seen much (if any snow) this December, Christmas fever was still present as the team and I saw Final Exams rapidly closing in! Once Finals were over, we had the opportunity to do some last minute chapter visits, as well as have some time to have our December meeting December 13th through the 16th. We had a blast planning for the upcoming State Convention this March. While it was hard coming to reality that our time as a state officer team draws to its end, we still kept our Christmas spirits high and worked to make this State Convention truly unforgettable! We decided on session chairs, retiring addresses, and other things as well.

The team and I also got to attend the Tennessee FFA 17th Annual Safley Dinner at Maggiano’s little Italy to honor Mr. Jesse Safley. Mr. Safley took great honor in congratulating the State FFA officers and their success over the course of their term by inviting them to have dinner with them. This tradition has lived on in his name thanks to the leadership of John Rose, Tim Chowning and co-sponsor Simmons First. Many guests attend aside from the state officers such as the Commissioner of Agriculture, Foundation and Alumni Board members, Past state officers, as well as other sponsors of the dinner.

We wrapped up our time together at the Middle TN Ag club luncheon at the Ellington Agriculture Center in Nashville Tennessee. While at the Luncheon we were entertained by Madison Benson’s Speech, Chad Lewis’s French horn skills, and Dalton’s singing of “O Holy night”.

Be sure to stay tuned to hear what else the Tennessee State Officers have been doing and thanks for reading!

Stephen McNeil
Tennessee FFA State Sentinel