Emily Brune couldn’t have asked for a better early birthday present.

Recently, the co-advisor of the Wellsville-Middletown FFA chapter applied for a Learning by Doing Classroom grant, which is given by the Missouri FFA Foundation. On Feb. 23, Brune found out that she was one of 14 recipients throughout Missouri to receive the grant, just a day before her 23rd birthday.

“I actually saw it on Facebook that the FFA Foundation has posted about it,” Brune said. “They were kind of advertising that this is their first year doing the grant. We filled it out, we kind of hoped for the best and it really worked out.”

Brune shares co-advisor duties with Rylee Williamson. Even though Williamson’s name was not on the list of the recipients for the grant, she and Brune will still receive the money.

“I just filled it (the application) out,” Brune said. “My name got put on it, but it’s a big win for both of us.”

Getting the grant was one of the big highlights for the W-M FFA during FFA Week. The chapter started the week on Feb. 20 by visiting Crossroads Cowboy Church in Williamsburg. It also put up holiday flags in the Wellsville and Middletown areas on Feb. 21, had a dress up like an animal day on Feb. 22 and had an ag advocacy day on Feb. 23, in which members taught elementary students about agriculture.

“I always enjoyed FFA Week, even when I was in high school,” Brune said. “It’s just a week full of activities and fun. It’s not just one school celebrating, it’s the entire country. This is National FFA Week, so everybody kind of gets to celebrate together. So I always look forward to it and I know the kids do, too.”

On Feb. 24, which was Brune’s birthday, members wore their official FFA uniforms to school. The day was cut short as students were dismissed early due to the winter storm.

The following day, the FFA breakfast was postponed due to inclement weather. It was rescheduled for March 1.

“The snow has really thrown a wrench in our plans, but it is February,” Brune said. “I’m kind of used to it. But they’re really good at adapting to what comes. Even with all of the snow and the craziness we have around here, they still love participating in all of the activities.”

Brune and Williamson took over FFA advisor duties on July 1, replacing Samantha Bohr. They were hired a month before they graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Brune and Williamson lead a group that includes president Taren Justice, vice-president Abbigail Kleinsorge, secretary Libby Kleinsorge, treasurer Jordan Forir, reporter Kaitlyn Poage, historian Dani Hager and sentinel Lucas Peak.

“I love it,” Brune said. “This is an amazing school. We have such support from the community and the parents. I really couldn’t have asked for a better place to start my career. I love the kids. I love teaching and working with them. Being a first-year teacher, I ran into some challenges. But the kids have been so patient and have worked with us. I built a lot of great relationships. There is really no better place that I would rather be. Wellsville-Middletown is an excellent school.”

Brune said the chapter will remain busy for the next three months.

“We’re right in the middle of contest season,” the co-advisor said. “We have area and district (competition) coming up. That’s the next big thing coming, so March and April will be really busy for us. After the contest season, we have the state convention and the banquet.”

The grant will help the W-M FFA put together a project this summer.

“Our chapter is actually getting beehives,” Brune said. “So this coming summer, we will have beehives, which was approved by the (Wellsville) City Council and the (W-M R-1) School Board. The kids are really excited about that. This grant is $500 that we will be able to use to purchase some of the supplies for the beehives as well as some life protective equipment so they get to work with the bees. The grant is going to be a great way to help fund the project and get it started.”