By Jaiden Fordyce
Upshur County FFA Reporter
Upshur County FFA in West Virginia held a toilet fundraiser during FFA Week in February. The upcycled toilet is decked out in national blue and corn gold, with a toilet tank planter for an assortment of flowers, wheels for easy transportation and, most importantly, a way to include the entire school in FFA Week.
This is the eighth year that Upshur County traded comfortable plush staff chairs for the “FFA Throne.” FFA members take turns rolling the FFA toilet to an unsuspecting staff member’s classroom or office and replace the chair with the toilet. To have their desk chair returned, staff offer a donation to the FFA Jenna Davis Scholarship Fund. In return, they receive an FFA supporter pin, typically displayed proudly on their ID badge, and then choose the next recipient of the throne. If a staff member does not donate, they are stuck with the “FFA Throne” through the end of the school day. The goal is to keep the toilet moving and reach every staff member by the end of the week.
The toilet’s original purpose was to raise money for the FFA chapter, but roughly two years after its creation, Jenna Davis, an FFA member at the time, passed away in October 2019. In remembrance, advisor Joe Hymes worked with the local alumni chapter to divert the funds raised to a scholarship. Since then, any money made from the toilet goes toward the Jenna Davis Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded at Upshur County’s annual FFA banquet in March.
Students love to see teachers’ expressions when the toilet wheels into their classroom. Teachers look forward to their chance to sit on the throne and have their picture shared on the chapter’s social media platforms.
Teacher Jamie Davis, aunt of Jenna Davis, has been at Buckhannon-Upshur High School since 2017. She remembers the moment advisor Joe Hymes walked into her classroom and shared the idea of using the FFA toilet fundraiser to fund the memorial scholarship for her niece, Jenna.
When discussing her feelings about participating in this yearly fundraiser, she said, “I’m up for almost anything, and the fundraiser shows a different side of FFA where they let loose a little bit. I think it’s unique and fun to participate in.”
She also believes that “Jo” (Jenna) would have giggled in private at the idea of using a toilet to fundraise something in her remembrance but show her appreciation to those who supported and loved her. Not only does this support FFA members’ future endeavors, but it also brings teachers and students outside the organization together. It’s an unconventional way to raise money, but this quirky tactic is now an established tradition for funding the Upshur County FFA Jenna Davis Scholarship. Once again, for National FFA Week, the toilet was rolled out of safekeeping and made its rounds to honor a former student and unite a chapter and school.
Upshur County FFA would like to extend a thank you to all the staff, students and community members who continue to support the Jenna Davis Memorial Scholarship through this unique fundraiser. Your generosity and participation help us honor Jenna’s memory while making a difference in the lives of future FFA members. We appreciate the laughter, the willingness to embrace tradition and the continued commitment to our chapter. Thank you for being a part of the Brotherhood of the Traveling Toilet and for keeping Jenna’s legacy alive.
