Teach Ag! Avengers Serving with ACES

Penn State Ag Education is home to a dedicated small group of students that go above and beyond to serve our major and our profession.   We call these individuals the Penn State Teach Ag! Avengers! They are selfless in their acts of helping others understand agriculture education, they share why agriculture in important and are always thinking of new ideas to tell the story of Agricultural Education.  This year we have four dedicated individuals that are already working diligently on new projects.  Their newest project: FFA ACES Conference Service Project.  

Students writing their cards at ACES.

This year the Avengers were asked to participate in the annual ACES Conference (Agricultural Cooperation Establishes Success).  This conference encourages student leaders to expand their skills in leadership areas through workshops, and activities with chapters across the state.  The Avengers role was helping with the community service projects.

  They partnered with the Four Diamonds Foundation associated with THON, a 46 hour dance marathon to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer.  Their mission: to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness and ensure funding for critical research - all in pursuit of a cure Various Penn State students dance for all 46 hours, and are usually in need of a little encouragement!  All the members at ACES were able to make cards for the dancers participating in THON to encourage them to keep dancing For The Kids.  

Ms. Hilbert shared the story of Four Diamonds.

This project couldn't have been more timely, Penn State just completed this year's dance marathon!  Although the FFA members were not able to interact with dancers or Four Diamonds families face to face, they were able to hear from Leigh Anna Hilbert, a Four Diamonds representative.  Hilbert shared the story of where Four Diamonds was named.  She shared the story of Christopher who was diagnosed with childhood cancer and to keep fighting, he wrote a story about a knight who needed to discover the four diamonds: courage, wisdom, honesty and strength to reach his goals.  She encouraged the students to think of a local fundraiser or awareness event they could do, such as a mini-THON, to keep fighting with courage, wisdom, honesty and strength, For The Kids.   Avenger Miranda Kane said, "Their (the students) thoughts and kind sentiments can go a long way for the tired dancers of THON."  All 530 cards will do just that!  Great job FFA members and Avengers, keep serving!  

Meet the Avengers:

Miranda Kane

Class of 2017

Nathan Repetz

Class of 2017






Victoria Herr

Class of 2019









Matthew Wagner

 Class of 2019

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog.

Kayla Hack

Student Blogger

Twitter Handle: @hackkayla

2017 Agriculture Education Student Teacher