West Holmes FFA excels in state contests

West Holmes FFA members participated in the virtual state contests Feb. 9 and 23. After the prelims they were sitting 16th in the state and sixth in the district. Individual state placings were Reece Anderson, 24th; Jenna Zimmerly, 65th; Jack Jewell, 125th; Deacon Clemens, 154th; Hayden Conkle, 166th; Emma McDonnell, 176th; Wyatt Troyer, 185th; Claire Drzazga, 191st; Kendra Hall, 195th; Natty Lint, 197th; Jackson Baker, 232nd; and Zander Croskey, 239th. There were 22 teams and 242 individuals in the contest.

They competed in the second state prelims Feb. 23, and the team placed 15th in the state and fifth in the district. Individually, Jenna Zimmerly placed 48th, Reece Anderson 74th, Jackson Baker and Kendra Hall tied for 114th, Claire Drzazga placed 123rd, Emma McDonnell placed 142nd, Jack Jewell placed 155th, Hayden Conkle placed 168th, Zander Croskey placed 174th, Natty Lint placed 186th, Wyatt Troyer placed 188th, and Deacon Clemens placed 189th.

These contests consist of general safety questions, information on the green industry, and how to read seed and fertilizer labels. During the contest members had to identify trees, plants and insects and identify landscaping tools and equipment and diseases that could affect landscaping plants. The team also had to answer some general safety questions and read a blueprint and a fertilizer label as a part of the contest.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, members of the West Holmes FFA competed in dairy judging contests at the ATI Equine Center. During dairy judging contestants place dairy cows, take a test over the dairy industry, read pedigrees and complete a sire selection scenario. The dairy judging team was the sixth-place team at ATI. Individually, Jenna Zimmerly was seventh, Reece Anderson was 11th, Reagan Mackey was 19th and Taylor McDonnell was 125th. There were 91 teams and 631 individuals in the contest.

The ag food and natural resources classes took the Greenhand Quiz Feb. 23, and the animal and plant science class took the Farm Business Management Exam Feb. 2. The Greenhand Quiz tests the students' knowledge of FFA history and basic parliamentary procedure. The Farm Business Management Exam includes questions relating to the economic principles of farm management.

The Greenhand team placed fifth in the district and 58th in the state out of 165 teams and 3,421 individuals. Individual scores were Una Holasek, 85th; Breck Sheldon, 465th; Harlie Curry, 473rd; Tim Mittman, 488th; Leland Turner, 581st; Jocelyn Olney, 653rd; Emily Ogi, 684th; Conner Allison, 727th; Jensen Lorentz, 754th; Tori Kaufman, 803rd; Austin Long, 881st; Macie Sours, 991st; Tori Bell, 1,017th; Taylor McDonnell, 1,053rd; Tyler Tope, 1,077th; Trenton Heller, 1,088th; Bryar Strouse, 1,246th; and Lane Burgett, 2,678th.

The farm business management team placed seventh in the district and 31st in the state out of 110 teams and 1,099 individuals. Individual scores were Reece Anderson, 97th; Andrew Weaver, 189th; Ellie Babitt, 220th; Natty Lint, 228th; Chloe Kaser, 236th; Natalie Lauriha, 303rd; Cadence Martie, 357th; Emma McDonnell, 500th; Mia Spencer, 540th; Ali Mash, 664th; Gabby Fowler, 703rd; Ellectra Beachy, 727th; Courtney Crider, 768th; Madison Mittman, 817th; Cam Hinton and Reagan Mackey, tied for 885th; Kendra Hall, 959th; and Dean Hondson, 1,019th.

On Feb. 24 the West Holmes FFA competed in District Ag Sales at Wayne County Career Center. The team placed third in the district. Individually, Logan Van Dalen was third, Emily Ogi was 11th, Blake Patterson was 14th and Tori Bell was 22nd. Team alternates were Reagan Mackey and Courtney Crider. There were seven teams and 28 individuals in the contest. Thank you, Wayne County Career Center, for hosting District Ag Sales.

On March 11 the West Holmes FFA competed in the Ag Mechanics Contest at Wynford High School. During the contest contestants classify oil and lubricants, weld, identify tools and fasteners, complete a carburetor labeling diagram, size and identify nuts and bolts, use a micrometer, and identify parts from a small engine. The team placed seventh out of seven teams.

Individually, the members placed as follows: Reece Anderson, 10th; Patrick Weaver, 24th; Zander Croskey, 28th; Hayden Conkle, 30th; Deacon Clemons, 31st; Ali Mash, 32nd; Jackson Baker, 33rd; Jack Jewell, 37th; and Wyatt Troyer, 39th. Thanks to Wynford High School for hosting the competition.