From The FSD June 2024
The Farmington R-7 School District is thrilled to announce that the FHS JROTC Cadets have been awarded the Outstanding Organization Award for the Academic Year 2023-2024. This remarkable achievement marks the first time since the 2017-2018 school year that our JROTC unit has received such a distinguished honor.
Under the guidance of Capt. Glenn W. Harrison, USAF (Ret), and SMSgt Carrie K. Hinson, USAF (Ret), our Cadets, have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment. The Cadets had to meet rigorous criteria to qualify for this prestigious award, which showcases their leadership and organizational skills.
Criteria for the Award:
Viability: Over 100 Cadets were enrolled in the JROTC at the beginning of the year, a testament to successful recruiting efforts.
Meeting Air Force Suspenses: Cadets developed goals, tracked progress, reported on their activities, and submitted scholarship applications in a timely manner. Meeting these deadlines is critical, as even one late submission would disqualify the unit.
Community Service: On average, each Cadet completed over 8 hours of community service, reflecting their dedication to giving back to the community.
Capt. Harrison expressed immense pride in the Cadets' hard work and achievements. "I am extremely proud of our Cadets' hard work and am very pleased to be able to recognize their accomplishments. Our Cadets will be able to wear an additional ribbon on their blues uniform, which is always exciting for them," he said.
This award is a significant milestone for the Farmington High School JROTC program, highlighting the exemplary performance and commitment of our Cadets. We congratulate them on this outstanding achievement and look forward to their continued success.
This school year, Mrs. Lindsey Albee's ELA seminar embarked on an exciting adventure that has not only broadened their culinary horizons but also fostered a deeper sense of community. The students took on the challenge of growing produce on a tower garden, and their journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
Initially, Mrs. Albee was hesitant, worried she might end up managing the garden solo. However, her students quickly dispelled her concerns with their enthusiasm and dedication. The seminar transformed into a hands-on learning experience, where students not only grew but also prepared and enjoyed various dishes made from their harvest.
The students have had several salad parties, crafted kale smoothies, and even made basil pesto pasta from scratch. Their willingness to step out of their comfort zones was evident when most of them tried the green basil pesto pasta, with only one student declining to taste it. To everyone's delight, those who tried it enjoyed it.
One particularly memorable moment was when Mr. Northern, initially skeptical about kale, found himself enjoying a kale smoothie. His conversion from kale-doubter to kale-fan added a fun twist to the seminar's activities.
Beyond the joy of tasting fresh, homegrown food, the seminar has also produced a bounty of greens. Mrs. Albee's seminar recently gave away six bags of lettuce, two bags of kale, and one bag of basil to staff.
The seminar has bigger plans for the future. They hope to grow a larger variety of produce next year, sell it for a modest price, and use the proceeds to buy new seeds. Additionally, they aim to start a fund to support the CTA Cares Backpack Program, which helps children in our district. Mrs. Albee is hopeful that their motivation will carry into their senior year, allowing them to see their vision come to fruition.
In addition to Mrs. Albee's seminar, Mrs. Wilkerson's second grade class also participated in a similar project. They used a tower garden in their classroom to grow various greens. On the last day of school, the students harvested their produce and enjoyed a salad party, celebrating their hard work and the fruits of their labor.
These projects have not only provided valuable life skills and nutritious food but have also strengthened the bonds within our school community. They are a testament to the power of hands-on learning and the incredible potential of our students when they work together towards a common goal.
