The Cole R-1 School District's FFA Week is almost here, so be prepared to see some additional teenaged tractor drivers on the roads around Russellville High School.
FFA advisor and Russellvlle agriculture teacher Ellen Amos said Feb. 18-24 will be a mixture of fun, educational and community-service events.
"We separate all of our classes out into committees in the very beginning of the school year," Amos said. "It's called the Program of Activities, and it's set up through the national FFA organization. Each activity is essentially sponsored by one of those committees, so they are the ones making the contacts, making the lists of things that we need. They essentially plan everything."
The celebration will begin Sunday with Mass at St. Michael's Catholic Chuch.
Classes are dismissed for Presidents Day on Monday, so FFA members will meet 2-5 p.m. at the Washington Park Ice Arena in Jefferson City for ice skating.
The annual FFA blood drive will take place 1:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Russellville High School cafeteria. Students also will have the chance to dress in the attire of their favorite tractor brand.
Students will dress in official FFA dress for a first-hour photo Feb. 21.
Drive-your-tractor-to-school and dress-like-a-farmer day is Feb. 22.
The big community breakfast will be held Feb. 23. Students will arrive at the high school at 5 a.m. to prepare a free community breakfast of pancakes, bacon and sausage to show appreciation for the FFA's supporters from 6:30-8:30 a.m. Members also will be able to wear their FFA chapter T-shirts to school.
Russellville FFA members will embark on their first career-development event practice contest Feb. 24 in Eldon.