National Premier Chapter Award Winner: Beauregard FFA

National Premier Chapter Award Winner: Beauregard FFA

Maintaining proper tire pressure is a critical aspect of vehicle ownership and directly impacts safety. When tire pressure is either too high or too low, it can lead to serious safety concerns. The Beauregard FFA chapter organized an engaging activity titled “Inflation Station,” designed to ensure that the tire pressure of students, faculty, and community members was correctly measured and adjusted.

During this event, agriculture mechanics students took on the responsibility of teaching fellow FFA members how to determine the appropriate pounds per square inch (psi) required for individual vehicles’ tires. They demonstrated how to use a tire gauge to check the current pressure and how to operate an air compressor to inflate the tires to the correct levels. After receiving training, the members actively participated in the activity.

The event featured three distinct stations: one for student vehicles, one for faculty vehicles, and one for community members. At each station, participants diligently recorded the desired psi as well as current tire pressure on a service ticket before moving on to our inflation team to have their tire pressure adjusted to the proper psi. All tires were then checked by our quality control team and the service tickets closed out.

In total, the team inspected 145 vehicles, which included a total of 580 tires, and successfully adjusted the air pressure to the recommended psi. This initiative resulted in a remarkable savings of $87,000 in tire replacement costs for students, teachers, and community members. A dedicated group of 126 members, along with 4 adult volunteers, contributed a total of 322.5 hours to support our community, creating an economic impact of $9,204.15 through their services. Additionally, 145 families were able to avoid significant losses that could have resulted from incorrect tire pressure. This effort not only improved vehicle safety but also strengthened community involvement and responsibility.

“Teaching my fellow FFA members how to properly check and adjust tire pressure was a valuable experience. It not only fulfilled the purpose of running the inflation station but also empowered members to safeguard themselves against the risks associated with improperly inflated tires. Another rewarding aspect of the activity was assisting several elderly community members who can no longer check their own tire pressure. The inflation station has truly enabled me to apply my skills in service to others”, says Ethan High, Safety Committee Chairman.

High continues, “the Inflation Station activity proved to be straightforward yet significantly impactful and engaging for our members, school, and community. Understanding how to check tire pressure is a common practice that I often take for granted; however, it is evident that many young people and numerous community members lack this essential skill, which raises considerable safety concerns. Witnessing our members collaborate to apply their knowledge and skills in ensuring the safety of our community and students instills a profound sense of pride in me.”

The activity was submitted in the chapter’s National Chapter Award application where it was selected as a finalist for the Premier Chapter Award in the area of Strengthening Agriculture. After a preliminary presentation, the activity was selected as a top 3 finalist. Members Tanya Martinez and Taylor Morgan who served on the Safety Committee were tasked with presenting the activity at the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, IN on October 23, 2024. After the judges had deliberated, it was announced on the national stage that the Beauregard FFA were national champions!

“I am so proud to have had the opportunity to represent my school and community so well on the national stage,” says Tanya Martinez. Taylor Morgan echoed those sentiments saying, “through this experience, I have made memories that will last a lifetime while also contributing to my local community.”

The students in the Agriculture Mechanics Class, known as the “I Can Fix Anything” group, were assigned the responsibility of instructing fellow FFA members on the proper use of tire pressure gauges and inflation attachments on a compressor. Following their training, the members participated in the Inflation Station activity. They were organized into groups and assigned tasks based on their individual levels of comfort and expertise.

The initial step in the Inflation Station Activity involves verifying the manufacturer’s recommended psi for the tires of the specific vehicle. This information is commonly found on a sticker located on the driver’s door frame or the door itself. The sticker provides the recommended psi for both the front and rear tires, as well as for the spare tire. Members recorded the information on a service ticket that was then passed to the next group in the station.

The second step in the activity involves verifying the current tire pressure in all four tires of the vehicle and accurately documenting this information on the service ticket associated with the vehicle. We utilized heavy-duty manual air pressure gauges specifically designed for cars, trucks, and SUVs.

At the student and faculty inflation stations, we utilized pancake compressors to regulate the air pressure in the tires. Our team members were responsible for ensuring that the tire inflator attachment was properly secured to the tire to facilitate the effective inflow of air, while also preventing any leakage from the tire.

There is nothing like seeing your hard work pay off. Being crowned National Champions in the Premier Chapter Award, was a dream come true for our FFA members, school, and community.

Tanya Martinez and Taylor Morgan did a fantastic job representing our chapter as presenters of our activity. The composed a visual presentation, competed via zoom for a spot in the top 3, then presented on the national stage bringing our chapter top honors.