Category:

2014 ACTE Teacher of the Year!

1/2/2014

Tara L. Berescik, Agricultural Educator & FFA Advisor,
Tri-Valley Central School in Grahamsville, NY!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Sean Lynch
December 20, 2013
703-683-9312
[email protected]

CareerTech VISION 2013 : A Dynamic Professional Development Event for 3,500 Career and Technical Educators

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education held its annual national professional learning event, CareerTech VISION 2013, in Las Vegas, Nevada, December 4-7. More than 3,500 career and technical education (CTE) professionals attended the three-day event. Participants and speakers discussed current issues facing CTE and various topics in more than 200 educational sessions on issues including Common Core State Standards implementation, teaching strategies for the CTE classroom, program and teacher assessments, new technologies CTE programs can utilize to enhance student learning, and much more.

CareerTech VISION 2013, which took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, drew CTE professionals from across the country. Attendees heard from notable general session speakers, browsed the newest classroom technologies and tools in the CareerTech Expo, which showcased more than 200 companies, and offered attendees a chance to explore best practices, instructional models, and tactics for integrating rigorous academics and CTE. On Wednesday evening, ACTE honored its 2014 national award winners at an awards banquet. U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan provided opening remarks to the attendees. He thanked CTE educators and challenged the audience, “Teaching and learning must change because the nature of work has changed. “ The Secretary also referenced President Obama’s goal of ensuring every student has some form of postsecondary training or degree to succeed in today’s economy.

Assistant Secretary Brenda Dann-Messier from the Office of Vocational and Adult Education joined the Secretary at the banquet to help celebrate the nominees and winners. ACTE annually honors educators and business and industry leaders for their exemplary work in CTE. ACTE was pleased to work with returning sponsors for two awards this year; Cisco, which sponsored the Teacher of the Year award, and Kuder Inc., which sponsored the Career Guidance award. In addition, this year’s awards were produced with 3D printing technologies provided by Stratasys. ACTE also appreciates the sponsorship provided by Certiport, CEV Multimedia, Successful Practices Network and Yaskawa Motoman Robotics.

ACTE is proud to announce the following award winners for 2014:

·         2014 Teacher of the Year, Sponsored by Cisco – Tara L. Berescik, Agricultural Educator and FFA Advisor, Tri-Valley Central School District, Grahamsville, NY

·         2014 Career Guidance Award, Sponsored by Kuder, Inc. – Jayne Greeney Schill, CTE/Business Education Partnerships/College Bound Program Coordinator/Counselor, St. Cloud Area School District, Waite Park, MN

·         2014 Outstanding Career and Technical Educator –Tony Brannon, Dean, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Murray, KY

·         2014 Outstanding New Career and Technical Teacher – Briana Lynn Morton, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Homewood Middle School, Homewood, AL

·         2014 Outstanding Teacher in Community Service – Felicia Williams, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Horseshoe Bend School, New Site, AL

·         2014 Business Leader of the Year – Gordon W. Davis, Founder and Chairman, CEV Multimedia Ltd.

·         2014 Lifetime Achievement – Gary S. Wixom, Assistant Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education

·         2014 Award of Merit – Joerg Klisch, Vice-President of North American Operations, Tognum America Inc.

·         2014 Carl Perkins Outstanding Service Award – Sandra Hemmert, CTE Coordinator, Granite School District (Utah)

·         2014 Image Award NOCTI – accepted by John Foster, CEO of NOCTI

ACTE will be hosting CareerTech VISION 2014 in Nashville, November 19-22.

About ACTE

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. Founded in 1926, ACTE has more than 25,000 members; career and technical educators, administrators, researchers, guidance counselors and others involved in planning and conducting career and technical education programs at the secondary, postsecondary and adult levels. ACTE provides advocacy, public awareness and access to information on career and technical education, professional development and tools that enable members to be successful and effective leaders.

Dodge Ram Superbowl Commercial Part 2

2/8/2013

Dear Ag Ed and FFA Leaders,

We’re almost there! Because of your enthusiastic support, we are closing in on our goal of 10 million views of the RAM advertisement video. Thank you for all you have done to promote the ad, and please know it is very important that we do everything we can to continue to promote it. The visibility for agricultural education and FFA is overwhelmingly significant and positive.

Important for you to know is that our members must view the video at the official RAM Youtube site located here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMpZ0TGjbWE or at RAM’s official website here: http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/keepplowing. Viewing the video at other Youtube links will not count toward our goal of 10,000,000 views. Please share this as appropriate with your audiences.

As promised, we are including several links to news stories with responses to the ad. Our goal is to give you a sense of the impact it’s had and to share the media attention we are receiving. We encourage you to log on to the National FFA Facebook page to see the chatter related to the ad.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/04/god-made-a-farmer-super-bowl_n_2615081.html

http://www.freep.com/article/20130203/BUSINESS0103/302030287/RAM-resurrects-Paul-Harvey-s-God-Made-Farmer-Super-Bowl-ad

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/at-super-bowl-2013-god-made-a-farmer-and-tide-had-a-miracle-stain/2013/02/03/1ba244fc-6e7c-11e2-8b8d-e0b59a1b8e2a_blog.html

http://www.kivitv.com/news/local/189745211.html

http://www.indystar.com/article/20130204/NEWS/302050303/FFA-will-harvest-cash-from-downloads-Chrysler-s-Super-Bowl-ad

As you know, this successful partnership with RAM through the National FFA Foundation will generate up to $1 million of new support for FFA. The funds will be used to drive the FFA hunger initiative “Feeding the World–Starting at Home” and support many other FFA programs and activities for our members.

There is one more way you can help. We need to ensure that in any conversations and correspondence we reference this as only RAM and omit any reference to Dodge or Dodge RAM. While you may recall a close connection between the brands in the past, they are no longer tied together and the RAM brand is our partner on this project.

Above all, this campaign is a major win for American agriculture and our producers and ranchers. The ad is elevating the image of agriculture in the public’s mind and it has tied FFA and agricultural education to the future of this important industry. We could not be more pleased.

Thank you for all you do!

Dwight Armstrong                                                                           Rob Cooper

Chief Executive Officer                                                                  Executive Director

National FFA Organization                                                            National FFA Foundation

Economic Development from a Summer Camp?

1/22/2013

The Oswegatchie Educational Center is a state wide destination.

Why would hundreds of students from Syracuse University travel to Croghan, NY to spend their weekends? It’s for the Oswegatchie Educational Center! Long known as the “FFA Camp”, Oswegatchie is set on the shores of Long Pond and has been hosting retreat groups from all over New York. Syracuse University has found Oswegatchie to be the perfect combination of lodging, meals, and educational programs, without the modern day distractions of wifi and cell phones. Syracuse University is an example of the new wave of business that has been filling the property for several weekends each year. Additionally, Clarkson University, Hamilton College, and Cornell University all make annual pilgrimages to Croghan NY to retreat at Oswegatchie.

On 1200 acres, 4 large ponds, and 2 miles inside the Adirondack “Blue Line”, the Oswegatchie Educational Center’s location is both beautiful and refreshing. This summer camp and educational retreat center is in the northeast corner of Lewis County inside the Croghan Township. Its 4 full time staff members live on site and work throughout the year. Oswegatchie is owned and operated by the New York FFA Foundation.

Long term development at Oswegatchie has been steady and pragmatic over the years. Starting with the long anticipated addition of a state of the art shower facility in 2008 and continuing this past year with the addition of a new maintenance building, Oswegatchie has found ways to reinvest in itself without acquiring major debt.

In the past 10 years, major donors have stepped forward to make things happen. Charitable IRA rollovers and Estate planning has allowed large gifts to find their way to Long Pond. More important, Oswegatchie has opened its doors to sponsorships and naming rights for new structures. For 2013, the ground is being broken on a new lodge / infirmary. Naming rights on the structure have started at $50,000.

Oswegatchie is now at a tipping point, and needs the right mix of continued customer support, financial contributions, and collaboration with the industrious people of Lewis County. Our current customer base is very loyal and provides invaluable word of mouth promotion. This has been the cornerstone of our growth.   However a little known fact is that 95% of our customers travel from outside of the county to participate in our programs. This presents a great opportunity for economic development for many Lewis County businesses. Many of our customers stop at one of many restaurants, purchase fuel, supplies, and even ice cream cones. Croghan has benefitted greatly from hungry people wanting ice cream, chocolates, and bologna! Lewis County maple syrup is also a valued commodity. Not only is it the best syrup, it is also priced right.

We invite Lewis County residents and businesses to consider planning a retreat at Oswegatchie. Whether for a weekend family reunion, or a staff retreat for your employees, we can plan an event that is unique and unforgettable.

Summer Leadership Camp for youth ages 11 and up continues to be our most popular program. In 2012, the summer program (www.oswegatchiecamp.com ) hit another record attendance with 768 campers during 5 weeks of camp. The Oswegatchie program is packed full of high level programs, including water sports, horseback riding, Zip Lines, climbing towers, and so much more. Summer camp tuition is all inclusive and very affordable.   Lewis County youth are encouraged to talk to their FFA Advisor about how they can become a part of the Oswegatchie experience. If your school does not have an FFA Chapter you can visit us individually.

Oswegatchie’s annual AdironDUCK Race (www.adironduckrace.com) has become a fixture in the Lewis County calendar of events not to be missed. With the addition of a new flock in 2012, the opportunity to participate in this event is greater than ever.   In 2012 1,700 people attended and enjoyed great food, free entertainment, and beautiful spring weather.   We would appreciate your presence on Sunday April 28, 2013 for the 19th Annual Oswegatchie AdironDuck Race.

To learn more about Oswegatchie, go to www.oswegatchie.org.   We can be reached by phone at 315-346-1222. We look forward to furthering the discussion about how Oswegatchie can be a big part of the future Lewis County.

This article will run in the Lowville Journal and Republican "Progress Edition" in February 2013.

Press Release: New York FFA Launches Hunger Initiative

11/7/2012

Two major, unrelated events prompted a desire for action in NYS FFA Officers. October 24-27, students participated in the Rally to Fight Hunger at the National FFA Convention. The day after they returned home, Hurricane Sandy came ashore and resulted in devastation that consumed the news and social media for days. The storm damage made it impossible not to see the need people had in New York and the officer team wanted to respond, somehow.

A series of messages were sent back and forth between the 14 member team of students. From their locations in separate parts of the state, officers contemplated how to respond to the need from the storm but also to do it in a way that aligned with the beliefs of the organization. A partnership with the New York Farm Bureau triggered in a plan that would not only respond to needs of those displaced and set back by Hurricane Sandy, but also bring awareness to a real issue that exists in every part of the state at every time of the year. Farm Bureau annually collects donations for regional food banks through the Harvest for All project. Understanding the role food banks play in responding to food emergencies, state officers decided to help direct FFA members wanting to respond after the hurricane to do so through agriculture. In addition to supporting the New York Farm Bureau’s Harvest for All efforts, however, officers added a component to their challenge – education.

The Food Insecurity Challenge asks schools to do three things: 1, educate themselves about the variables that contribute to food insecurity and specifically how food banks help to provide people with access to affordable food; 2, take the stigma off of services and programs that exist to help alleviate food insecurity by educating their schools about why it exists and the real demographics of hunger in New York; and 3, launch a campaign within their schools and communities to collect donations for regional food banks in New York State.

Over the course of a weekend, New York State Officers developed the project, created a script and a story board and recorded pieces of a video to launch the project. Officers worked in their bedrooms, hallways and dormitories from hundreds of miles apart to complete the project, together. After using partner organizations for feedback, they launched the project through social media and agricultural education networks on Tuesday, November 6.

“I’ve never been so proud of a project in my life,” said New York State Sentinel, Kaylin Broadwell. Broadwell is an FFA member from Hamilton, NY and currently studies agricultural communications at SUNY Cobleskill. She acted as the hub for all media and put the project together in her college dorm room, but doesn’t claim responsibility for the project. “It was a team effort. Like we say in the video, we’ve got to see that this is happening, recognize that it’s a problem and say it’s not okay. We hope that the video gets members thinking about the reality of food insecurity and gets them to do something to change the way people think about hunger.”

“We believe a lot of things about hunger,” District 6 President, Ashley Willits states in the video. “That it only happens to lazy people. That it only happens to people without jobs. That it only happens to people in big cities – and that there’s nothing we can do about it.” Willits is a junior at Lowville Academy in upstate NY and was eager to help develop the script for the video. “We want to take the stigma off hunger… until we make people realize that there is no shame in being hungry, we keep ignoring the people who need agriculture the most.”

The Food Insecurity Challenge is designed to engage all people in the reality of the issues of hunger all around them and to respond to the short-term needs of people following Hurricane Sandy – but it has the bigger goal of restructuring the way people think about hunger and to engage young people, long term, in finding solutions for hunger. “It has to be more than just a bake sale,” State Secretary Leann Green, a student at SUNY Cobleskill states. “It’s more than just a can drive. We want people to understand why food insecurity exists and to realize they can do something about it.”

Kaylin Broadwell, NYS FFA Sentinel and Leann Green, NYS FFA Secretary, collaborate on decisions about the video to launch the Food Insecurity Challenge.

District 6 President and Lowville Academy junior, Ashley Willits, records part of the Food Insecurity Challenge in her home.

Kaylin Broadwell, NYS FFA Sentinel edits the video.

State Vice President Paige Levandowski, State President Amanda Rhodes and State Treasurer Ryan Willits, all freshman at SUNY Morrisville studying agriculture, work the script and record audio for the video.

“State FFA Convention Challenges Local Students” Press Release

5/7/2012

“State FFA Convention Challenges Local Students”

More than 1200 students, teachers and guests from throughout New York descended upon the Vernon Verona Sherrill community to participate in the New York State FFA Convention on May 3-5, 2012. The Oneida County destination was filled with teenagers participating in leadership and agricultural competitions, receiving awards and running for state level leadership positions.

The event theme, “The Signature of Success,” outlined six qualities that serve as markers of quality in individuals that are successful. Throughout the three day event, students were recognized and challenged to build up the characteristics of Generosity, Hunger, Vision, Growth, Dignity and Tradition. Students competed in Career Development Events, earned scholarships, received cash prizes and were recognized onstage.

“Whether it’s serving communities, winning Career Development Events or making lasting contributions to the food, fiber and natural resources systems, FFA could not claim to be successful without the accomplishments earned by its individual members,” State FFA President and senior at Belleville Henderson Central School, J.W. Allen explained. “The world we live in needs us to be successful now, more than ever before. We hope to recognize students and help them to see the things they’re doing have real impact.”

Allen’s intentions were fulfilled. Throughout the convention, over five hundred awards, degrees and other forms of recognition were distributed to FFA members. Students and teachers were recognized for the influence they have in their schools, communities and the agricultural industry.

State Treasurer Elizabeth Bracken of Tri-Valley Central School delivered a speech entitled “Inexhaustible Magic” Saturday morning. “The words we say go straight to the heart of an issue, of a community or of a person,” she insisted. “Imagine the impact we could have as 1000 teenagers who go back to our communities and speak inexhaustible encouragement, inexhaustible belief, inexhaustible affection, humor, love, life… Let’s get serious about changing the world and changing people’s lives by taking OUR magic straight to their heart.”

“This is what FFA is all about,” said State FFA Executive Secretary Juleah Tolosky. “FFA provides opportunities for these teenagers to challenge themselves and accomplish something significant that is individualized and preparing them for careers and community leadership.”

The FFA is a national youth leadership organization for students enrolled in agriculture classes in their middle and high schools. Students pursuing careers in agriculture will be meeting the global challenges of a growing population, shrinking farm land and changing energy needs. Agricultural education is proven to improve student performance in math, science and language arts. For more information, go to www.ffa.org.

Media Contact: Juleah Tolosky

[email protected]

607-254-2880

Our Official Press Release on our Ford 2N Fundraiser

3/16/2012

For Immediate Release:

New York FFA Raises $16,500 in Tractor Restoration Program

Syracuse NY- March 15, 2012- On Friday February 24, the New York FFA drew a winning ticket for a fully restored 1946 Ford 2N Tractor. The winner of the tractor was Kerry Bell of Fort Ann, NY. The FFA raised $16,500 to support agricultural education and state level FFA leadership programs. .

The 1946 Ford 2N was donated to the New York FFA by retired agricultural teacher Bob Robinson. The tractor was originally purchased by Bob’s father, Don Robinson who was also an agricultural teacher. The tractor was fully restored by members of the Pioneer FFA Chapter in Yorkshire, NY and then turned over to the New York FFA. Ticket sales were kicked off at the Empire Farm Days and concluded during the FFA Alumni Toy Auction held during the New York Farm Show on Friday February 24. Tickets were sold across the state by members of the New York FFA and countless supporters.

The Ford 2N is the fifth such restoration and raffle conducted by the FFA since 2003. Former restorations have included two Ford 8N’s, an Allis Chalmers WD, and John Deer BR. With the conclusion of the Ford 2N raffle, just shy of $75,000 has been raised to support the New York FFA. Todd Lighthall, Exec Dir of the NY FFA Foundation shares that the value of this program is much greater than the monetary benefit. “The tractor restoration program not only provides an opportunity to raise much needed funds, it also provides a meaningful project to students enrolled in high school agricultural mechanics. Students, guided by their advisors and community volunteers do the work; from tear down, to parts research, to seeing the project through to completion. It is truly a win/win for all involved.”

And the project has a future. Currently the FFA has three tractors being restored for future raffles. These include an Allis Chalmers by Southern Cayuga FFA, an American Fordson by Morrisville State College, and a Ford Ferguson by the Tully FFA. All eight tractors have been donated to the FFA. The nex raffle is slated to kick off at the Empire Farm Days this summer. If you have a tractor that you want to contribute to this program, contact Todd Lighthall at 315-346-1222.

The New York FFA would like to recognize the following businesses and individuals who went the extra mile to promote and implement this event. Bob Robinson and Family, the Pioneer FFA Chapter, Jon Clayson, Marty Krause, Marylou Genaway, Larry Romance & Sons, Conroy Motors, Tim Havens - Falls Farm & Garden, Atticus Communications, and the New York Farm Bureau and its many members who supported this raffle

2014 ACTE Teacher of the Year!

Tara L. Berescik, Agricultural Educator & FFA Advisor,
Tri-Valley Central School in Grahamsville, NY!

Dodge Ram Superbowl Commercial Part 2

Economic Development from a Summer Camp?

Press Release: New York FFA Launches Hunger Initiative

“State FFA Convention Challenges Local Students” Press Release

Our Official Press Release on our Ford 2N Fundraiser

The New York FFA Foundation

Archives

Categories

2014 ACTE Teacher of the Year!

Tara L. Berescik, Agricultural Educator & FFA Advisor, Tri-Valley Central School in Grahamsville, NY!

Dodge Ram Superbowl Commercial Part 2

Economic Development from a Summer Camp?

Press Release: New York FFA Launches Hunger Initiative

“State FFA Convention Challenges Local Students” Press Release

Our Official Press Release on our Ford 2N Fundraiser

The New York FFA Foundation

Archives

Categories

Tara L. Berescik, Agricultural Educator & FFA Advisor,
Tri-Valley Central School in Grahamsville, NY!