Members of the Lexington FFA competed in the first round of Leadership Development Events (LDE)on November 12th at UNCTA in Curtis. Those competing were Evelyn Ramirez in Senior Public Speaking, Hunter Lorenz in Cooperative Speaking, and Zachary Lorenz in Natural Resource speaking. Evelyn placed 5th, Hunter placed 3rd and Zach placed 4th in their respective events. On December 10th Hunter and Zachary Lorenz competed in the second LDE at UNCTA at Curtis. They presented an Agricultural Demonstration on preparing base metals for welding. They placed 7th in the competition receiving a blue ribbon. 

The FFA chapter is currently preparing the greenhouse to receive plants in January, February and March for its annual plant sale. The chapter will have available in mid-April bedding plants and a variety of vegetables for sale.

Welding 1

Welding 1 classes have been working on shop safety, oxyacetylene cutting, gouging, and washing operations. They have also been working on surfacing welds using E6010 and E7018 electrodes. This class has also been working on their NCCER certifications. The NCCER certifications are a national certification.

Welding 2

The Welding 2 class has reviewed shop safety practices, welding symbols, and reading detailed drawings. They have completed surfacing welds and horizontal T-welds. They are currently working vertical and overhead T-welds. This class is also working towards their NCCER certifications.

Welding 3 

Welding 3 students started the year with a review of shop safety practices. They then started to learn how to utilize drafting software to design projects for the welding shop. They are also working on some special projects for the community and designing some prototypes for those projects. They have also been working on making open groove welds in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. Also, they have been working on welding pipe and aluminum in various positions.

Keith Nielson

Welding Instructor, FFA Advisor, Asst SkillsUSA