San Benito High School is unearthing old traditions and creating
some new ones this week in celebration of FFA Week, part of a
nationwide effort to bolster awareness of the Future Farmers of
America and, on a slightly different level, an affectionate nod to
the community’s agricultural roots.
San Benito High School is unearthing old traditions and creating some new ones this week in celebration of FFA Week, part of a nationwide effort to bolster awareness of the Future Farmers of America and, on a slightly different level, an affectionate nod to the community’s agricultural roots.
“FFA has evolved so much over the years, it’s not just about pigs and cows and planting trees – that stuff is all cool, too, but the leadership skills these kids walk away with are amazing,” said Assistant Principal Duane Morgan. “It’s worth celebrating.”
The SBHS FFA chapter was formed in 1929, and the tradition of FFA week dates back to 1948, when the national organization decided to take one day in February already set aside to celebrate future farmers and expand it into a week-long event. Schools with active chapters celebrate the FFA across the nation during the week of Washington’s birthday, in honor of the advances he made in American agriculture. But as the school has that week off, SBHS celebrates a bit late.
“Participation has gone up and down over the years, but it’s really popular right now,” said FFA adviser and ag teacher Kelly Bianchi. “The kids look forward to it because they’re having a good time and getting involved, and they know this is something that’s been going on forever.”
Nationwide, ag programs are seeing a surge in popularity and more students are getting involved with the FFA than ever before. Few programs, however, boast the longevity and continued vitality of SBHS, or the FFA week traditions dating back multiple generations.
“We have parents who used to go to school here, and they’ll come and watch the activities at lunch (during FFA week),” said Robin Brown, an SBHS guidance technician and 1976 Barn Queen. “You can just tell by the looks on their faces that they’re thinking about what it was like when they were kids here.”
Each day during the week, the FFA hosts some sort of ag or cowboy-themed activity for the entire student body to enjoy. Some of the activities change from year to year, while others – like the tub races – are a mainstay of the celebration.
The tub races are held each year in Baler Alley, and pit students against one another in homemade vehicles which often resemble abstract art projects more than go-carts.
“The tub races are a big deal. Everyone gets into it, even if you’re not really into ag,” said Stephanie James, ASB spokesperson.
In the past, only boys were allowed to participate in the races and female students were limited in their participation in most aspects of the ag program. Today, however, girls have a day set aside for their own races and the president of the SBHS FFA chapter is a female.
“You see that the girls have a bigger role in the FFA these days, and for a long time they weren’t even allowed to participate,” Brown said. “That’s one tradition that I’m glad to see change.”
The week’s festivities culminate in the Friday night Barn Dance, a tradition started in the 1960s and unique to SBHS. Students dress up in western attire and the Barn Queen is crowned based on a number of criteria including an essay, extra-curricular participation and how much money she’s able to raise for the FFA. Despite the hard work, competition for the crown is pretty stiff.
“We have our Barn Queens’ pictures on the wall going all the way back to 1962,” Bianchi said. “The girls see that and they want their pictures up on the wall, too.”
In recent years, the FFA has included a Barn King in the festivities, though in the past, it was assumed that the president of the chapter would be male and escorting the Barn Queen.
At the height of its popularity, the Barn Dance was a more popular event than the prom.
“I wasn’t even really into ag as a teenager, but you bet I went to the Barn Dance,” said Sheriff Curtis Hill, a former ‘Baler who took his now-wife Ellen to the dance in high school. “The school has such a rich ag tradition that you’re always exposed to it… My dad Harry was a charter member of the FFA at that school and this year my son is a freshman and raising a pig. It’s awesome.”
Though some of the contests may change and student participation will vary from year to year, SBHS’ FFA week is one tradition, at least, that has remained fairly consistent since its inception, and is treated by students and the community as something special.
“In this community it’s an important part of our heritage, even though the small town has grown up quite a bit,” Brown said. “It’s something that we have to keep alive.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com
