FFA member Peyton Lilly teaches a student how to properly develop her project while prioritizing safety.
The East Clinton Great Oaks FFA Chapter wanted to provide new and unique opportunities for youth in its communities. Most of all, the chapter wanted to give younger students the chance to be creative as well as collaborate on impactful projects.
Soon after members started discussing new activity ideas, a teacher from a local elementary school reached out to their advisors. She proposed a partnership that would provide ample growth for everyone involved. A snowman building activity seemed to be the perfect fit. It would engage students from surrounding schools in a way that would also spread cheer throughout the holiday season.
In December 2024, a group of East Clinton Great Oaks FFA officers and members invited the kindergarten classes from one of the East Clinton Local School District’s elementary schools into their agriculture classroom for a chance to try something new. The younger students were paired with high school students who had experience from the shop class. Then, they embarked on a day-long project that explored many essential creative techniques.
Each and every one of the elementary students measured, cut and painted a wooden snowman project that they got to take home and show their family members and friends. Many of the younger students learned basic shop skills and safety lessons like how to measure things, how to cut wood under adult supervision, what some of the shop tools were and how to paint their projects.
Just like snowflakes, every single shop project from the “Snowman Building Project” was crafted with uniqueness and individuality in mind. Students measured their own heights so they could take home a project that was life-sized. They also added personality to their projects by decorating them with hats, scarves and painting on different faces. This made the projects feel as though they were realistic for the students. It also brought an immense sense of joy to those who helped with every step of the process.
“Even though the project could get messy at times, it brought a lot of joy to the students and a sense of purpose to the chapter,” said East Clinton Great Oaks FFA Advisor Matt Griffith. “The high school students got to try something new while also helping to spread happiness in our community throughout the winter months.”
The East Clinton Great Oaks FFA Chapter plans to make the project a recurring event in its school district, and members hope to see this creativity-inspired event flourish for years to come.
