12/18/2012
Ryan Rimmer was born March 11, 1982 in Lakeland, FL. He graduated from Lake Gibson High School in 2000 where he was very active in the Lake Gibson Sr. FFA Chapter. After graduation, Ryan was elected as the Area IV State FFA Vice President of the Florida FFA Association. Ryan then enrolled in the University of Florida and was a sophomore at the time of his tragic death. As a freshman, Ryan earned a spot on the UF debate team and competed in the semifinal round of a national tournament parliamentary debate at the end of his first year. Ryan was hit by a drunk driver and passed away in Gainesville on January 3, 2003.
As a 2000-2001 State FFA Officer, Ryan relentlessly requested that the Florida Leadership Training Center establish a paint ball course. As a result, the paint ball field was installed in 2003 and then upgraded in 2012 to include perimeter fencing on a 100’ x 300’ field with numerous barricades and obstacles. Also in 2012, the Tactical Arms Pro Shop was added to provide markers, paint, safety equipment and supplies. Over 3,000 students have used the paintball course since 2003. More information can be obtained by visiting the LTC website at www.flaltc.org and click on Paintball Course.
Now, ten years after his untimely death, The Polk County FFA Federation is coordinating an effort to raise $25,000.00 for the naming rights to the paintball field to include the cost of recent renovations, compressor, new markers, equipment and supplies, and a memorial marker for Ryan.
We are inviting former State FFA Officers, FFA Chapters in Area IV, and other FFA Chapters throughout Florida, FFA Alumni groups, and Friends of Ryan Rimmer to help us raise $25,000.00 for the Florida FFA Foundation as a way of “Remembering Ryan Rimmer”.
Will you join us on Thursday, January 17, 2013, at 6:00 PM in the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center dining hall as we kickoff the “Remembering Ryan Rimmer” fundraising campaign? We would like to have 2 FFA members and all advisors from Area IV join us. Dinner will be sponsored by the Polk County FFA Federation.
