Our high school may have a lot more history than you think involving the Future Farmers of America Association (FFA)

The first opening year for our school was in 1951, but other schools in the surrounding towns still remained open. Kennard-Dale opened as the main high school in 1952.

When the school opened, it served eight small individual districts and townships; Stewartstown, Fawn Grove, Delta, Cross Roads, East Hopewell Township, Fawn Township, Hopewell Township, and Peach Bottom Township.

The name ‘Kennard-Dale’ was a contest between students. ‘Kennard’ comes from the person who owned the land, Joseph Kennard. ‘Dale’ comes from the old English language, which means valley.

As a matter of fact, the school colors were chosen from the national colors that represent the Future Farmers of America (FFA). The colors symbolize the royal blue fields rich with rows of golden corn.

FFA has become a major part of our school, other than just giving us our colors.

Since the beginning, farming and agriculture has been a major part of survival. As such, the high school is most known for its accomplishments in agriculture. From 1952 to the present, rural Pennsylvania has been bustling in agricultural business.

Many different crops and livestock continue being raised in lower York county: corn, soybeans, oats, dairy cattle, and many others.

Alumni Charles Winemiller was heavily involved in FFA. During his graduating year, 1956, he was the president of the FFA.

Charles Winemiller, of four generations, is my great grandfather, starting our family history at this school.

He raised animals and continued his farming throughout his whole life, but really decided on a career during his time at this school.

Later on, in 1976, Alumni Karen Winemiller, Charles Winemiller’s daughter, graduated from this school as well.

Karen Winemiller was not active in the FFA, but continued in many other activities, such as future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Band, and Senior Band.

After Karen, alumni Amber Cunningham, graduated from the original high school building, in the year 2001.  Amber Cunningham was also in the FFA during her four years in high school.

Cunningham was very active in  the FFA, just like Charles Winemiller, her grandfather.

Cunningham held many positions such as Treasurer, Vice President, and Secretary; raising and showing many different types of animals was also something she took part in.

I am Cunningham’s daughter. I am the granddaughter of Karen Winemiller, and the great granddaughter of Charles Winemiller, making me a fourth generation of this school

With my family in FFA since the beginning, I want to continue the legacy and join as well.

My family has kept the agricultural role in our lives for generations.

Unfortunately, students do not have access to the FFA as they formerly have. Generations ago, students could join whenever they wanted, and they could make it a club or a passion.

Now, students do not get to be formally involved unless they both opt to take a class as well as get the class in their schedule.

This is hard on students who do not have any agricultural classes, such as myself.

Current advisor and teacher, Abigail Cornett stated, “FFA is technically considered an intracurricular organization because the functions/activities that the FFA chapter participates in directly relate to what is learned in class.”

Intracurricular is a class that goes above and beyond, like a club or organization, but it is built around an educational curriculum.

“I think Kennard-Dale is failing the student body, by treating FFA now as an elective or class that so few kids can get into, instead of an actual extracurricular activity. By not allowing students who are Agriculturally motivated to join, they are cutting our heritage out, and helping to kill family farms by failing to sustain that training. Large scale production agriculture is a booming business, as well as sustainable farming. It is a shame to see kids being short changed on knowledge and skills for the real world,” stated Cunningham.

For something that runs deep in the school and in the land surrounding, students should consider taking FFA classes. If interested, classes are located on page 49 of the Course Catalog.