Rock Island Today

Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) was recently invited to attend the annual Orion FFA Chapter Award Night.

During the chapter banquet, the 2022-2023 Orion FFA officer team was announced, according to an FFA April 27 Facebook post. The officer team includes President Jennie Abbott; Vice President Madeline Nightingale; Historian Brylie Roberts; Secretary Avery Knupp; Reporter Kinslee Whitcomb; Sentinel Brayden Hardin; and Treasurer Sam Nightingale, Treasurer.

"Thank you, Orion FFA, for your invitation to attend your Annual FFA Awards Night," Swanson wrote in an April 26 Facebook post. "I enjoy hearing of the hard work members put in preparing for the competitive events. Congratulations to all of you recognized tonight, thank you to the Orion Alumni and businesses for your support."

Youths in the Orion FFA group participate in a variety of activities, including leadership activities like state and national conventions, and FFA Leadership Camp. There are career development events as well like horse judging, forestry, land use, and agronomy among others. They also participate in community service projects and other local activities, like homecoming, the FFA fall barbecue, regular chapter meetings and workshops; blood drives, food drives and other events.

The chapter's alumni are also active in the community. The alumni group offers two scholarships to graduating seniors each year and puts on several events throughout the year, like the annual pancake breakfast and auction; they judge local, section, district, and state contests too.