Five FFA Members Qualify for State FFA Competition
By: Nathan Bahns, a freshman at Leigh High School
After many long weeks of practicing and working on projects, the Leigh FFA Chapter competed in a virtual Career Development Events, CDE, competition on March 3rd. There were 22 competitors from the Leigh chapter in this round of CDEs, and 5 people moved on to state.
Results from the Career development events are as follows:
Vet Science (DISTRICT CHAMPIONS):
Taya Hambleton (tie for 1st), Maddie Noonan (3rd), Justine Thompson (5th), Riana Grotelueschen (10th), Jordan Noonan (11th), James Grotelueschen (13th); Other participants: Dalton Zulkoski, Carter Timm
Farm and Ranch Management (4th Place): Riana Grotelueschen, Alissa Kasik, Layne Krutz, Trevor Zulkoski
Nursery Landscape (5th Place): Makenna Held, Kanyon Held, Korbee Wendt, Alissa Kasik, Sydney Reeves, Natalie Brabec
In addition to these events, junior Justine Thompson was selected as a finalist in her Proficiency Application through her SAE. This means she is in the top three in the state and will have an interview and be recognized at the state convention!
In addition to Thompson, juniors Kanyon Held, Maddie Noonan and Jacob Eisenmann all earned Silver on their Proficiency Applications, Held in Turf Grass Management-Entrepreneurship, Noonan in Poultry Production-Entrepreneurship, and Eisenmann in Beef Production-Placement. Junior Zane Williams’ Proficiency earned Bronze for Hospitality Tourism Management.
“Even though CDE’s were very different this year, everyone competed the best we could,” Held said.
Chapter Advisor Mrs. Alyssa Went said, “I am so proud of all of our chapter competitors. Special congratulations to Taya, Maddie, Justine, and Riana for qualifying for State in Vet Science, and to Justine Thompson being selected as a finalist in her proficiency. This is a huge accomplishment, especially since this is the first year any of these kids have done this!”
In addition to these qualifiers, the junior livestock judging team qualified for state earlier this year at the end of January.
Congrats to the LHS FFA Chapter!