Monte Vista — “Hello, this evening marks an important milestone for the Monte Vista Street Flag project,” said Kiwanian Don Noland during a presentation at the Monte Vista City Council meeting on Thursday, May 18. “We are here to celebrate the transfer of ownership of this project to the Monte Vista High School Chapter of FFA. In confidence, we believe that FFA will continue the legacy of the Street Project.”

The Monte Vista Flag Project was started in the early 1970’s. Monte Vista Jaycees would distribute flags all over the community on special holidays and for special occasions and events, to show their allegiance and pride in the country that the flag represented.

The Flag Project was eventually picked up by the Monte Vista Kiwanis Club members in the 1980’s who then continued the project after the Jaycees. Unfortunately, Monte Vista Kiwanis also stopped in 2020, and the project was then picked up by the Kiwanis Club of Center.

During the over 40-year run that the flags were distributed, there were also other members of the community who volunteered and helped with the flags that were not Kiwanis members, including the local Boys Scouts, and the 4-H clubs.

In Thursday’s meeting, the tradition was transferred to the Monte Vista High School FFA. Director of Public Works Rob Vance, and the city were thanked during the transfer for also helping with the maintenance on the flag holes that are all over town. It was noted that hard work and dedication had made the project a success. The FFA was also thanked for taking over the project.

A ceremonial transfer of the flags followed with Alyssa Campos and Addison Mondragon from the Monte Vista High School FFA accepting the flags.

Monte Vista FFA Advisor Edwin Mondragon said, “I want to thank you guys for giving us this opportunity. This program was started three years ago, we had been 35 years without a program. I think this is going to be a huge step for us to help the community in letting people know that we are here again and what we can do. Thank you to the two ladies here, Alyssa Campos and Addison Mondragon. They are officers of our upcoming year. We couldn’t do it without the kids. Thank you, guys.”

For more information, call the MVHS FFA Chapter at 719-852-3586.