As the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close, the Paulding FFA Chapter always looks forward to interacting with elementary students who are the future of our FFA Chapter. This year we did so by helping in the elementary with Right to Read Week activities. 

            Right to Read Week is a school week dedicated to encouraging elementary students to enjoy reading by doing fun activities, crafts, meeting an author, and, of course, reading books! This year Right to Read Week had a farm theme titled Reading is Amoozing, so our chapter gladly helped with this fun week. We put a box of crafts together and brought them to different classes throughout the week where each student made and decorated a crown focusing on the author of the week’s spotlight book: The Beef Princess of Practical County. Our members helped them make their crowns while talking with the students and even playing a game of duck, duck goose with a few classes. 

            The Paulding FFA were not the only ones in the community who got involved with Right to Read Week; Koenn Farms, Stoller Brother & Sons Farm, and Allen, Paulding, Putnam, & Van Wert County Farm Bureau made contributions as well. On Tuesday, Koenn Farms and Stoller Brother & Sons Farm took farming equipment to the school parking lot for students to view. Some of the equipment included combines, tractors, and semi-trucks. Joey Griffith and Briggs, Bristyl, and Tucker Stoller shared their knowledge about all of the farming equipment with the elementary students. The next day, both Oakwood and Paulding Elementary School hosted an assembly with author Michelle Houts. Houts has written several children’s books, including Hopefully the Scarecrow and Barn at Night. In the assembly, Houts talked to the kids about reading, writing, and how to come up with story ideas. Houts later commented, saying, “While we celebrate books and reading during Right to Read Week, stories are a huge part of our lives all year long. So, read the stories that you love, write stories that only you can write, and believe in the power of words!” This visit was provided by the Farm Bureau, who also gave out ice cream cups after the assembly and gift bags at the end of the week. 

            At the close of  Right to Read Week I contacted the executive director of the Farm Bureau, Mrs. Samantha Blumm, to ask why the Farm Bureau felt inspired to get involved. She stated, “The Farm Bureau really tries to maintain focus on the community, and more specifically, the youth. After Mrs. Miller, Paulding Agriculture Education teacher, reached out to us we knew it was a no-brainer for us to help.” She continued, “The youth are so important because they’re our future. It may sound cliché but most agricultural issues stem from not knowing; if we can get involved with the youth and educate them we can prevent issues that may arise in the future.” Mrs. Blumm said it well, the youth are our future and educating them is very important. By putting time and care into our children we can produce smart and capable adults who have a better understanding of the agriculture industry in Paulding County and beyond. 

Young students often struggle to find motivation to read other than getting a good grade. Giving students reasons why reading is important and showing them how fun it can be can cause a positive shift in their perspective. Right to Read Week led to the elementary accumulating over 9,000 minutes of reading. Their goal was 6,000 minutes, and since they exceeded that Mrs. Born had to kiss a pig. Having fun activities to award accomplishments is a great way to encourage people, especially young children wanting to watch their principal kiss a pig. Our community organizations working together led to an amazing week for our students. Thank you to Koenn Farms, Stoller Brother & Sons Farm, Allen, Paulding, Putnam, & Van Wert County Farm Bureau, Paulding FFA members and anyone else who has ever encouraged a child to love reading for having a positive impact on our community. 

Vivienne Myers,

            Paulding FFA Reporter

 

 

What college or university will you be attending? University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne, Indiana

What do you plan on majoring in? BFA - Studio Art

What is your hope to do with your said major after college? I hope to receive my Bachelor of Fine Arts and be able to become an Art Professor.

What is your favorite memory from your time at PEVS? My favorite memory from my time at PEVS is probably either marching band and getting to meet so many people, or the Wednesdays after school when our D&D group would meet up and play. I love our little group of geeks.

What piece of advice do you have for younger students? Don't worry about the past, but rather, wonder about the future; and learn to appreciate little Itty bitty things, you'll become a much more positive person!
 

What college or university will you be attending? Northwest State Community College

What do you plan on majoring in? Human Services

What is your hope to do with your said major after college? Become a social worker and help kids

What is your favorite memory from your time at PEVS? Being a TA for Mrs. Bradford's class and being able to help her students.

What piece of advice do you have for younger students? Don't worry about the past, it’s already done. Don't worry about the future, it is too far. Worry about the NOW because that is where you are. In other words. Don't focus on things that are behind or ahead of you. Where are you right now? Are you happy with it? If not, change it now. Tomorrow is not promised.