FFA Blue and Gold Gala Sponsorship Run 2023

Ryggin Meyer, Staff Writer

October 17, 2023

FFA Blue and Gold Gala Sponsorship Run 2023

The Blue and Gold Gala Sponsorship run is when the members of FFA go to different businesses asking them to sponsor their yearly fundraiser. Between the seven officers, who each had about two to five kids in each of their groups, our local FFA chapter got over 50 sponsors for their yearly fundraiser. Some of the sponsors being Sassy and Classy Nails, Dave’s Pharmacy, and Ackerman Ag! I interviewed some students and the FFA advisors to see how things went.

One of the FFA advisors, Jocelyn Pohl, I wondered how it went and what they all did. I asked her why they did the sponsorship run, Pohl stated, “To collect donations for our Blue and Gold gala and sponsorships for our chapter as a whole.” She said the sponsors that they got were most of the businesses in the Alliance area, as well as a few in Hemingford. Ms. Pohl stated that they had 22 out of their 44 FFA members show up. She also said, “I would say a big reason we have students go out is so they can have a little bit of connection with the business. It also makes a lot of people happy to see people out in the blue and gold jackets!”

Ashtyn Vivion, who is the other FFA advisor. I asked the question why we did the sponsorship run. Vivion brought up the Corporate Sponsorship, stating, “A corporate sponsorship is when businesses are able to donate a monetary donation that helps cover experiences for the year.” She also mentioned that all the money we raise from the auction helps with our funds, especially for State FFA.

A student, who would like to remain anonymous, to see how they liked the sponsorship run. They said, “I enjoyed doing it a lot, going out and talking to the different businesses in my community is exciting. It really gives our FFA chapter a chance to get to know the people who support us” When I asked them what businesses they went to, they responded with. “We went to many businesses as we were in a group with our officers. But, my group was Macy Brooks, Jozzlynn Smith, and I. We went all over Box Butte Avenue, some of the businesses were Tim’s Pharmacy, Box Butte General Hospital, and many others!” Lastly, I asked if they were excited for the Blue and Gold Gala. They stated, “Yes I am! It’s our second year doing it and last year was so fun.”

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The Blue and Gold Sponsorship run was an amazing experience for the members of the Alliance FFA Chapter! The Blue and Gold Gala itself is December 2, 2023 with a silent auction, live auction, and prime rib dinner. The chapter is very excited for the gala and can’t wait to see more of our local community!

About the Contributor

Ryggin Meyer, Staff writer

Ryggin Meyer is a 15 year old sophomore who attends Alliance High school. She was born in Alliance, Nebraska at Box Butte General Hospital on July 16, 2008. Ryggin has lived in many other towns such as Rapid City, South Dakota and Rushville, Nebraska. The reason she ended up moving was because of her mom. Ryggin is currently in her second year of FFA, last year she did competitions such as CCM (Conduct of Chapter’s Meeting) and Vet Science. She made it to state in CCM and her team got bronze on the state level. A main hobby of Ryggin’s is showing dairy goats, she owns 21 dairy goats! All of her dairy goats are Lanchais, Sable Saanens, and Saanens, this is her first year showing goats by herself. Before Ryggin started showing goats by herself, she’d help her cousin, Bayleigh, showing goats. She has also shown horses, last show she went to Ryggin got Reserve Youth Ranch Champion on a horse named Sugar ‘N Grace. That horse was her aunt Sheri’s but personally she owns 2 horses, Mist who is two years old named Mist, and an eleven year old named Shorty. Ryggin is also in dance, this being her 13th year! She currently does tap, jazz, pointe, and lyrical. Ryggin loves dance and it has always been a true passion of hers since she was young, she can’t wait to see what this dance year brings! When Ryggin isn’t at school, she is helping out on the ranch or playing Roblox. Things that she does on the ranch is train her horses, work with cows, work with her dairy goats, or just lend a helpful hand. Some of the games that Ryggin likes to play epic mini games on roblox. When she finishes high school, she is hoping to go to the University of Wyoming for pre-vet and then Vet school in Colorado. She wants to study in Colorado because it is one of the nations best vet schools. The reason she wants to go to the University of Wyoming is because it has beautiful scenery. Once she graduates vet school, she is hoping to work in Riverton, Wyoming at Stock Dock Veterinary Clinic. Ryggin is wanting to move to Riverton, Wyoming in hopes of making more money. Ryggin is an all A student and hopes to continue this throughout high school. She hopes to improve her writing skills and thinks The SPUD will help with this. Ryggin can not wait to write for The SPUD this school year!