By Staff
It was like a coup had taken place May 1.
Cass County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Wagel surrendered his gavel.
Others occupied their big, black cushy leather chairs as he and his colleagues stood helplessly, curiously, enviously, looking on at the proceedings.
The transfer of power was in the name of an exhibition by the Cassopolis FFA state champion parliamentary procedure team.
It's one thing to know that Cassopolis seems to have always been an FFA powerhouse, but quite another to witness what exactly it takes to bring home a state title in this realm.
Their coach, Bill Butcher, likes to say, "This team can compete with the best in the United States," and commissioners saw nothing to convince them otherwise.
Cass FFA – Chris Davison, Stephanie Stickle, Meg Hein, Kyle Miller, Ryan Stover, Kayla Green and Tiffany Rogers, with R.J. Lee absent – in October will do just that Oct. 22-24 against 43 of the nation's outstanding FFA programs in Indianapolis.
Competing at such a rarified level could rattle the steeliest of competitors, but the Rangers have experience and real teamwork and communication skills on which to rely.
It was fascinating to watch them at work. They seemed to vanish from the room during five minutes they were totally absorbed in preparing to conduct a business meeting.
They were timed by Ryan Green, the new state treasurer who was regional president during 2006-2007.
Their performance could have persuaded their audience that they spent much longer polishing their presentation had they not been informed otherwise.
The audience was also apprised of the teamwork it takes to work in a variety of parliamentary procedure elements.
FFAers know what they must demonstrate, but with the curveball of not knowing who around the table has what until they must react immediately to the developing situation.
It goes without saying that these special high schoolers are adept beyond their years at thinking on their feet.
Tiffany Rogers from the head of the horseshoe-shaped commissioners' table kept things firing at such a blistering pace that at least one adult commented that she can always become an auctioneer.
"I think I'll just go home," sighed Wagel, happy to have his gavel back.
Bruce Hipshear, the 78th District state House of Representatives candidate from Buchanan, was next up to the podium and acknowledged that the state-champion FFA squad was a tough act to follow.
"It doesn't seem fair somehow," Hipshear added.
If you get a chance to see Michigan's best parliamentary procedure team in action, take advantage of it.
This whole area should take pride that the Cassopolis FFA calls our corner of the state home.
We're sure they'll continue to represent us well.