The preparation for the annual FFA Heartland Alumni auction for NCHS and NCWHS is underway.

The Heartland Alumni Booster Club is the organization that has provided funding for the FFA clubs in Unit 5 high schools being.  The Alumni organization has existed for approximately 30 year and is made up of a group of FFA alumni and individuals, such as parents and those in the industry, who believe in the FFA mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The money that is raised at the annual auction goes back to the FFA chapters in the high schools.  Funds are used to provide funds for students to attend leadership conferences and scholarships as well as curriculum and materials for the agriculture program.  

Abi Wight, an FFA officer for the Normal West chapter said, “The preparation that goes into getting ready for the auction in March extends beyond the students and FFA members, it starts with the community getting together and donating what they want that will be auctioned off either during the live or silent auctions.”  In order to get these items, FFA members and officers must go out into the community and ask for donations by either calling businesses or going to them in person and giving them a flyer and telling them what the auction is all about.  

Clayton Thomas, a graduate from Normal West, and former FFA officer said, “My favorite memory was going out into the community and getting to share the experience with underclassmen that had never done things like going out and asking for donations for their own organization.  It was both fun and fulfilling to see the members grow and be the ones I would pass down the tradition to.” The members that Thomas had trained are now officers for their school chapter and intend to carry on the tradition as long as they are at Normal West.  

This year’s auction will be held on March 14th and will begin with opening ceremonies given by our very own FFA officers from both Normal Community and Normal West.  The overall revenue goal for this year is $18,000, which will be evenly split between both schools. This year’s auction will be hosted at Normal Community and will be catered by Avantis.