| Spotlight on Youth |
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Toyota commits $1.4 million to National FFA
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The National FFA Foundation recently announced that Toyota agreed to increase its annual support with a two-year commitment of approximately $1.4 million dollars in cash and product.
These additional funds will support National FFA student leadership development and alumni programs, local community service projects, collegiate scholarships, special events, and enhance diversity in agricultural education. In addition to a monetary donation, 25 Toyota vehicles will be provided to selected local agriculture education programs and key agricultural education leaders and organizations across the country.
“The National FFA Foundation has a longstanding relationship with Toyota; and with these additional funds, we can recommit resources across all avenues of the agricultural education spectrum,” said Dennis Sargent, executive director of the National FFA Foundation. “Students, teachers, alumni and volunteers will all feel the impact of this expanded Toyota initiative.”
Historically, Toyota has supported postsecondary education, math and science and environmental education as well as community development programs. Toyota has been supporting these types of programs with the National FFA Foundation over the past 30 years.
“We are excited about our significant increase in our support of the FFA,” said Brian Smith, Corporate Manager of Truck and SUV for Toyota. “We’re looking forward to expanding our base of educational support to the future agricultural leaders of this country.”
Junior Angus members elect leadership
National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members from across the United States met at their annual meeting, held during the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 1-7 in Tulsa, Okla.
Voting delegates elected six directors to serve a two-year term on the NJAA board of directors. Officers beginning their second year on the board were announced during the awards ceremony on July 6.
Justin Brosey, Hamilton, Ohio, will serve as chairman. He is the son of Daniel and Pam Brosey and attends Morehead State University.
Andrew Foster, Niles, Mich., was elected vice chairman. He will attend Oklahoma State University and is the son of Scott and Elaine Foster. Kara Wilson, Orleans, Ind., will lead as the communications director. She attends University of Kentucky, and is the daughter of Loran and Kathy Wilson.
Candidates from nine states ran for the six open positions on the board. Delegates cast their ballots for six candidates after each submitted an application, gave a presentation, answered impromptu questions and completed round-table interviews. Two individuals were elected to the board from the Midwest.
Bridget Driscoll, Williamsburg, Iowa, is the daughter of Erle and Renee Driscoll. She is a student at Iowa State University, where she majors in animal science with an emphasis in beef production. Walt Stinson, Talbott, Tenn., is attending Tennessee Tech University, where he is majoring in pre-vet with plans of studying dentistry. He is the son of Robert and Jan Stinson.
The NJAA Board plans programs and events for the more than 10,000 NJAA members nationwide. For more information about the NJAA or to become involved, visit www.njaa.info
Indiana 4-Her named finalist in Prudential Award
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Alison Mansfield, a member of the Aboite Homesteaders 4-H Club in Allen County was recognized as one of six Indiana students to be named a Distinguished Finalist in The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. These awards honor outstanding community service by young Americans.
Mansfield, who has completed the sixth grade at Summit Middle School in Fort Wayne, led a campaign to collect letters of appreciation and cookies for soldiers undergoing treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and serving in Iraq.
She worked with Southwest and ATA Airlines to encourage their passengers to write letters to injured soldiers, made 100 copies of each letter, and delivered them to patients at Walter Reed. She also conducted a Girl Scout cookie drive that produced 550 boxes of cookies for service members at Walter Reed and in Iraq.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recognizes two state honorees per state, one in middle school, and one in high school.
They each receive $1,000, an engraved Silver Medallion and an all expense paid trip to Washington DC. In DC, they join honorees from each state and the District of Columbia for several days of national recognition events. Ten of them are then named America’s top youth volunteers for 2007.
The two state honorees for Indiana this year were Evan Appleman and James Kennedy III, both of Indianapolis. In addition, each state named six Distinguished Finalists - who received an engraved bronze medallion, a certificate and a congratulations letter.
Mansfield will be honored during the 4-H Awards Ceremony on July 22 during the Allen County Fair. A representative of Prudential Financial will make this special presentation at 4:30 p.m. in the Show Arena. |
| 7/19/2007 |
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