NorthWood Prez Rakes in $1,700
Published: Friday, March 6, 2026
NorthWood FFA members will be working and serving over the next few weeks to fulfill their part in the chapter's annual worker auction, held last Thursday evening in Nappanee. One by one, FFA members stood on the auction block as auctioneer Mike Hertsel searched for bids.
In many cases, the buyer was a familiar face—a generous parent or grandparent.
The highest bid was $1,700, which secured the services of Gretchen Fervida, chapter president and a senior at NorthWood High School. The 18-year-old found a buyer in her father, Scott Fervida, who is a farmer.
Already familiar with farm work, Gretchen said she expects to do more of that this summer along with some odd jobs. She and other FFA members said they are happy to do the work. One hundred percent of the proceeds stay with the chapter.
"I think a lot of us have realized this year the cost of what it takes to go to these competitions, to stay in the hotels, for our advisors to take us to the events in mini-buses—all these things," Gretchen said. "Every kid who has been auctioned here tonight, in some way, has done something that has cost the chapter money, and this is their way to pay it back. And this is what funds us to be able to do those things next year."
Held during National FFA Week, the worker auction was part of the chapter's Roots of Excellence event, which featured a meal, silent auction, alumni introductions and an auction of pies. The event raised $21,730.
The chapter also conducted two other fundraisers: selling Culver's ice cream throughout the week and holding a pancake breakfast for the community. The chapter brought in $28,185 for the week.
In another special event, members drove tractors to school last Friday.
This was the second year for the Roots of Excellence night, which drew 159 people from the community. The event was Fervida's idea, and she was the hands-on organizer of last year's event. However, as president this year, she was able to delegate the work to other members.
"It was not easy to hand it over, because I love planning and I love this—this is my passion," she said.
A group of 10 members took over the planning and organizing.
"I'm very happy with how successful it is," she said. "I'm really proud to stand back and see what it is turning into."
After graduation, Fervida plans to attend Indiana University in South Bend to study health sciences. She wants to become a dental hygienist.
As the worker auction continued, FFA members meandered through the crowd to shake hands with their buyers. Charlie Mattern, a senior, will work for his grandmothers, Lutitia McMillan and Cheryl Mattern, this spring. For McMillan, Charlie will power wash the sidewalk and clean windows, and, for Cheryl, he will get the barn ready for his graduation open house. The price for that service was $500.
After graduation, Charlie plans to become an electrician.
Another senior, Henry Pfeiffer, sold four hours of his labor for $300 to his father, Shane Pfeiffer, a farmer. The family lives in St. Joseph County (Ind.), but Henry's parents, Shane and Shonda, decided to send him to NorthWood because of the school's strong FFA program.
Henry, who is serving as chapter sentinel, said he was happy to give back. He will be power washing some trucks and farm equipment. He is officially undecided about his college education but said he is leaning toward Purdue University. He wants to study agriculture.
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