Special Report

On the way to recovery

For one Missouri FFA chapter, just making it to this year’s National Convention is an accomplishment in itself.  The Joplin, Missouri high school building was destroyed in the massive tornado that ripped through the town on May 22^nd.  Logan Long is a senior from the Joplin FFA chapter; he tells Brownfield the support that they have received is incredible.  Long says donations came in from all over, he names Texas, Florida and Wisconsin to name a few.  He says the fact that so many people pitched in to help them in their time of need proves that FFA is one big chapter and everyone cares about everyone else.

The Joplin FFA chapter has a table set up on the floor of the career fair to say “ thank you” for those who provided assistance.  Also on display, the lone surviving FFA jacket; Anna Lee Copeland says that in itself tells a story.  She says one of their favorite phrases is “Twistered, not broken.”  She says the jacket that everyone sees on display during the FFA show may be ripped to shreds and dirty as can be, but we’re all still here, together.  Copeland says they’re “stuck like glue”.

Through donations from other FFA Chapters around the nation, the Joplin FFA chapter was able to overcome the odds and make it to National Convention.  Jason Cutler is Joplin’s FFA advisor and says even though they have a long road ahead of them, because of the generosity of others they are on the road to recovery.  Cutler simply says “thank you doesn’t cover it”.

The 84th National FFA Convention runs through Saturday