FFA event overcomes snow

The winter weather wasn't enough to stop Rector High School's sixth annual FFA Fish Dinner and Auction, held Saturday night at the Rector Community Center. An estimated 125 to 150 people attended the event, which has become one of the organization's biggest yearly activities.

"We had an outstanding turnout considering how the weather was," Rector FFA adviser Jason Murray said. "We were tickled to death with the number of people who showed up. When you have six to eight inches of snow within a three to four hour period while you're getting ready for an event like this, it makes you a little nervous about whether or not anybody's going to be there."

Those who braved their way through snow enjoyed a delicious fish and chicken strip dinner to begin the evening. The hot meal served as a nice warm welcome from the cold elements outside.

As the meal began to wind down, the auction got underway. Bids were taken on several items donated by local sponsors and businesses.

"We can't make this happen without all the support we receive from the community," Murray said. "Everyone who donated something for the auction and all the people who made bids and helped out made this happen. We're awfully proud of our kids in FFA and I think the kind of support we receive shows how much the whole community really cares about the lives of our students. I can't thank everyone enough for all they do for us."

The event was a success for the organization, raising approximately $7,500. The money raised will be used to cover some of the costs incurred in the different activities in which the organization is involved.

"The money we raise helps the organization cover the different expenses we have to pay instead of passing it on to the students," Murray said. "Every trip we take or show we compete in, there's a cost. Also, a lot of the projects we try to do at the school require additional money. What we raised here goes a long way to helping with all those expenses."

Prizes also were given away at the dinner. Thomas Masterson, an FFA member, won the 32 gigabyte iPod Touch. Scott Hester won a Stoeger 12-gauge shotgun. Ashley Jones had her name drawn as the winner of a Mossberg .22 rifle.

"I think everyone there had a good time," Murray said. "The whole evening served as a way for people to get together to have fun and help a great organization."

The FFA now is preparing for a recent addition to its community activities, as the group plans to host its third annual lawnmower races beginning at 2 p.m. April 19 at the Boydsville Arena.