The long-standing tradition of the Tecumseh FFA Pig Roast was back in its old form this year, and it was welcomed with open arms by the community.
About 315 people enjoyed a to-go or sitdown meal at the Tecumseh High School Alumni Center on Nov. 18. There was also a silent auction with donations from area businesses; a live auction of shop and horticulture projects, as well as students who will donate eight hours of their time; and skits performed by high school FFA students.
“This was the first year in probably three to four years that we went back to what we call the ‘old traditional’ auction that we’ve had,” said FFA Advisor Dodge Nichols. “And … when I say ‘old traditional,’ that’s live and with kids, you know, having skits and getting up there and … trying to entertain people and make it funny and entertain the crowd, and that’s kind of what we got back to this year.”
Jerry Kuhns smoked the pork; high school cafeteria workers, Brenda and Denise, made the sides, as they have for years; and eighthgrade FFA students served the meal, said Nichols. He estimated that the event has been held for more than 25 years since it was going on when he attended THS and graduated in 2004.
Between the meals and the auctions, the Pig Roast this year set a new record of approximately $15,000 to $16,000, Nichols said. In the past, it has raised $8,000 to $12,000.
“It went great,” said Nichols. “I mean, we had a great turnout, raised a good amount of money, you know. That money goes to our kids there for leadership events, conferences, conventions, things of that nature.”
