Students from all walks of life come together to learn and compete while helping their community. But they also have a lot of fun while doing it. A common theme in these nominations was just how fun it was to be a part of the Mt. Vernon FFA chapter. It’s a place where you can make lifelong friends while still working hard and learning valuable skills that will be carried on later in life. A high performing and highly active chapter, students from Mt. Vernon are always out and about in the community. Throughout the year they do over 250 activities and over 30 different community events, while still making time to lend a helping hand. Students have volunteered at various events from The Lights at Cedarhurst to helping the Jefferson County Farm Bureau and everything in between. They also host a Safety Day Camp to help teach Jefferson County students about farming and agricultural safety awareness. Congrats to one of our FFA Chapter of The Month Finalists, The Mt. Vernon Township High School FFA! Thank you to Elias Mullinax, Mt. Vernon FFA President & Morgan Payne, Mt. Vernon FFA Vice President for joining the show this morning.

Cord McCoy, the man with a rodeo plan, joins Big Jake's show to get you hyped for rowdy, rodeo action happening Friday, March 22nd & Saturday, March 23rd in Du Quoin at the Southern Illinois Center. It's all presented by Wolfe Cattle Company and Southern Illinois Waste. Your stage entertainment is thanks to Withers Broadcasting and Du Quoin Chevrolet-Buick. Get your VIP tickets at wolfecattlecompany.com!

Executive Director of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Jamie Storey, joins Big Jake for a chat about this weekend's 11th Annual Home & Outdoor Expo in Mt. Vernon at the Times Square Mall. Get a head start on those home improvement projects by coming to the Times Square Mall in Mt. Vernon on Friday, February 23rd (5-8p) and Saturday, the 24th (9a-5p) for incredible, first-hand access to industry experts. Over 50 vendors will be showcasing all things home and outdoor! Real Estate & Financing, Insurance, Recreation, plus a new area this year showcasing young entrepreneurs and their unique businesses. Whether you're remodeling, under construction, looking for better pest control, need new furniture, some outdoor maintenance or new gardening and landscaping. Visit southernillinois.com for more info. See you at the Expo!