NEW PARIS — National Trail Miami Valley Technology Center (MVCTC) FFA Chapter held its annual Greenhand Lock-in for first-year chapter members on Friday, Sept. 13. The students stayed in the school building overnight, before leaving the morning of Saturday, Sept. 14.
Fifty-five first-year members participated in the overnight event. The event was also attended by State FFA Officers Chyann Kendel, Alec Ogg, and Haleigh Stoller.
In addition to ice-breakers and games, the members also had a presentation from Past State FFA Officer Tyler Zimpfer.
According to advisors Eric and Carmen Kennel, the goal of the annual event is to give members the opportunity to get to know each other and their chapter officers.
“The Greenhand Lock-in was organized six years ago by our officers who decided they wanted to be able to get to know the first year members and spend the evening getting to know them, [as a way to] welcome them to the chapter,” Eric Kennel said.
He added, they host the event on a Friday night when there is a home football game to encourage the chapter members to cheer on the team before the lock-in.
“The freshmen come into the high school and they’re looking for direction and comfort. Getting them here for one night helps the officers, who are Sophomore, Juniors, and Seniors, give them some suggestions, have fun, and be that welcoming environment that we’re trying to develop at National Trail,” Eric Kennel said.
“Through this event, they’ll learn different leadership skills as far as working with others and getting to know each other. I hope they learn how to have fun with each other and be real. Second, I hope they learn some things about the FFA and some opportunities they may not have known or we may have not addressed in class.”
First year FFA member Hailey Henderson wanted to join the chapter because the notoriety the National Trail Chapter has. Being a part of that interested her. She attended the Greenhand Lock-in expecting to get to know her fellow chapter members better.
“I thought the activities have been pretty fun and involved. It has been pretty cool so far,” she said. “This event is important so we can become more like the National Trail family community. I feel like it is bringing us all closer. I hope to get to know a lot more people and all of us be a lot closer than what we are now.”
First year FFA member Kenton Dull joined the National Trail FFA Chapter, because his whole family has been a part of FFA. He wanted to try something new. He attended the Greenhand Lock-in with hopes of having fun as he got to know his fellow chapter members.
“I was expecting to get to know everyone and have fun from this lock-in. The activities have all been interesting,” he said. “This helps us trust each other a little more and get to know each other. When we leave tomorrow, we will know a little bit more about FFA and each other.”
