July has been a very busy month for the Cherokee FFA Chapter. July 3–8 Drake Williams attended the Shorthorn Conference and Jr. National show in Tulsa. He participated in a variety of contests. He was on the reserve national champion intermediate fitting team and brought home National Champion Shorthorn Prospect Steer.

At the officer retreat are (back row) Beth Lancaster; (from left, front row) Callista Allen, Drake Williams, Blake Failes, Ruston James and Sydney Wyatt.

The Cherokee FFA officer team went on their annual chapter officer retreat July 9–12. The officers include Beth Lancaster – president, Sydney Wyatt – vice president, Blake Failes – secretary, Drake Williams – treasure, Callista Allen – reporter and Ruston James – sentinel. The officers stayed in cabins near Sulphur, where they discussed the upcoming year activities, set goals and bonded as a team. The officers enjoyed the Arbuckle Wilderness, Turner Falls and Chickasaw National Recreation area. On the way home they stopped at The Escape in Oklahoma City, where they successfully escaped out of the Conquered Embassy (it only has a 15 percent escape rating). This activity took teamwork and creative thinking.

After returning home from the officer retreat, members Jade Jantzen, Callista Allen, Ruston James and Drake Williams loaded up and went east to attend the fourth session of Oklahoma FFA Alumni Leadership Camp. The 2017 camp engaged FFA members in fun-filled, action-packed activities focused on personal, family and chapter goals. Special presenters were kick-off speaker Bill Cordes, Kansas; keynote speaker, Ben Glenn, Indiana; and entertainment was provided by hypnotist Dr. Al Snyder, Wisconsin.

After an exciting session at Alumni Camp, Callista Allen and Drake Williams attended the OSU Big 3 Field Days July 18–20 where they judged sheep, cattle and swine each day. There were more than 1,700 participants at the Big 3 Field days and it is the biggest youth judging activity in the United States.