Afterbirth Ball a rousing success

MEEKER I The second annual rebirth of the Afterbirth Ball was a huge success Saturday night with a full house in attendance for a great meal, auction and dance. According to Meeker Chamber of Commerce Director Katelin Cook, approximately 300 people attended the event, which is sponsored by the Meeker Chamber and participating energy companies and is a fundraiser for Friends of the FFA.
This year 25 FFA members helped set up, serve and clean-up. They had 14 kids participate in the auction. The individuals or teams are auctioned off for eight hours of labor. Spring was certainly the time of year to offer labor as the auction raised $3,250.
Thanks to buyers Mark Scritchfield, Shannon Moody, Regas Halandras, Diane Dunham, Sam Lopez, Shannon Sheridan, Shawn Bolton, Shelton Welding, Rio Blanco Ranch and McGuire Auto Parts. Following the action for labor, Bryce Purkey also auctioned off a number of donated items, artwork, metal art, leather, hay, beef, a beautiful cake and baked goods. Donations for the auction were made by Mark Scritchfield, Janelle Urista, Rodney Dunham and Diane Dunham, Kelly Sheridan, Becca Nielsen and Mona Scritchfield. The response to these items was outstanding.
Money from the auction is used in part to help send kids to attend and participate in the State FFA Career Development Events in Fort Collins, Colo., April 29 to May 1, the State FFA Convention in Pueblo in June, Washington Leadership Conference and potentially the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October. These are great opportunities for the youth of our communities. There are nearly 40 participants in the Meeker FFA with the majority of kids participating in various events in Fort Collins and Pueblo, Colo. Twenty-six kids will attend the Career Development events the end of this month. Students earning their way to the state convention are Tristan Nielsen, Maclaine Shults, Natalie Carroll, Mason Scritchfield, Ethan Overton, Kaylynn Dunham, John Mac Sheridan as well as the parlimentary procedure team of Sebastian Clark, Dannon Bolton, Jamie McLaughlin, Brittany Smith, Kaylynn Dunham, Deena Norell, Sam Baylie, and Torrie Gerloff. Kaylynn Dunham has already earned a trip to the Washington Leadership Conference this summer for her outstanding efforts.
The event was a great way to bring members of the community together for a night of fun for a great cause.
Cook said, “I believe the community enjoys it.”
New traditions continue to emerge among the old ones, including the “Placenta Polka,” introduced last year, and “Afterbirth Shots,” a new drink formulated this year consisting of a “butter shot” topped with Bailey’s Irish Cream and a hint of grenadine syrup.
“They looked disgusting, but tasted great,” she added, “and they were very popular.”
“Without the support of the Meeker community providing support and awarding them these real world learning opportunities and extensions of the classroom would be impossible.” Trina Smith, Meeker FFA advisor, said. “I am extremely grateful and unbelievably humbled by the graciousness and generosity of the people of Meeker.”