Southwest FFA competes at Districts, places at State competition
The Southwest FFA Chapter had a strong showing on April 10 at District competition in Springfield, sending many members of the chapter to state competition in Columbia on April 25 and 26. Pictured above, from left to right, in the front row: Sam Jennings, Laney Moore, Tyler Miller, Andy Cornell, Leland Colf, Ryan Lawrence, Trevor Sneed, Tim Deshields, Travis Sickles, Lane Cargile and Macy Colf. Bottom row: Elizabeth Ross, Ty Howard, Teresa Thompson, Emily Berry, Allison Corwin, Heather Windes, Eli Atkinson and Aubrey Corn.
May 1, 2019
Vinnie Roberts
During the District Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention, held in Springfield on April 10, Southwest High’s FFA teams scored high positions in every category they entered. Teams from 75 area schools participated in the event.
The Southwest FFA chapter’s dairy cattle team scored fourth in districts. Dairy cattle teams are graded on their ability to identify the structure of cattle, their knowledge of the mammary system and their ability to judge what they refer to as ‘dairyness’ of certain products.
The chapter’s knowledge team took home ninth place overall. FFA knowledge teams are graded on their knowledge of the FFA handbook.
Southwest FFA’s food science team took home second place in competition. This team was graded on their ability to identify various food-related smells, solve agriculture-related math problems as well as their ability to create a product with a marketing plan.
The Southwest FFA horse team scored fourth in competition in Springfield. Horse teams are asked questions regarding the running patterns of the animals as well as the structure of their bodies.
Southwest’s poultry team won first place in competition, being one of two Southwest FFA teams to do so. FFA poultry teams are judged on their ability to grade eggs, chicken and turkey carcasses as well as on their knowledge of live laying hens.
The chapter’s soils team also won first place in their competition. FFA soils teams are judged on their ability to create a soil profile by determining the percentage of sand, silt and clay in a given composition.
In addition to the chapter’s teams, ninth-grader Elizabeth Ross entered the Division 1 public speaking competition where she went on to win first place. Ross was assigned a topic and charged with writing a four to six minute speech. She was graded not only on the speech’s content but also her presentation to the judges and her fact-checking and accuracy.
Bill Caldwell, Southwest Agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, stated that he takes great pride in his chapter’s performance.
“I’m extremely proud of these kids,” said Caldwell. “They exemplify what a great community this is to live and work in.”
All of Southwest’s teams listed above went on to compete in the Missouri FFA State Conference held in Columbia on April 25 and 26.
Ross placed fifth in the Division I prepared public speaking leadership development at State.
Caldwell went on to state his views on FFA’s importance in schools.
“I think it really sets them up for future success,” said Caldwell. “It teaches them about real processes that are used in agricultural businesses.”
Vinnie Roberts
During the District Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention, held in Springfield on April 10, Southwest High’s FFA teams scored high positions in every category they entered. Teams from 75 area schools participated in the event.
The Southwest FFA chapter’s dairy cattle team scored fourth in districts. Dairy cattle teams are graded on their ability to identify the structure of cattle, their knowledge of the mammary system and their ability to judge what they refer to as ‘dairyness’ of certain products.
The chapter’s knowledge team took home ninth place overall. FFA knowledge teams are graded on their knowledge of the FFA handbook.
Southwest FFA’s food science team took home second place in competition. This team was graded on their ability to identify various food-related smells, solve agriculture-related math problems as well as their ability to create a product with a marketing plan.
The Southwest FFA horse team scored fourth in competition in Springfield. Horse teams are asked questions regarding the running patterns of the animals as well as the structure of their bodies.
Southwest’s poultry team won first place in competition, being one of two Southwest FFA teams to do so. FFA poultry teams are judged on their ability to grade eggs, chicken and turkey carcasses as well as on their knowledge of live laying hens.
The chapter’s soils team also won first place in their competition. FFA soils teams are judged on their ability to create a soil profile by determining the percentage of sand, silt and clay in a given composition.
In addition to the chapter’s teams, ninth-grader Elizabeth Ross entered the Division 1 public speaking competition where she went on to win first place. Ross was assigned a topic and charged with writing a four to six minute speech. She was graded not only on the speech’s content but also her presentation to the judges and her fact-checking and accuracy.
Bill Caldwell, Southwest Agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, stated that he takes great pride in his chapter’s performance.
“I’m extremely proud of these kids,” said Caldwell. “They exemplify what a great community this is to live and work in.”
All of Southwest’s teams listed above went on to compete in the Missouri FFA State Conference held in Columbia on April 25 and 26.
Ross placed fifth in the Division I prepared public speaking leadership development at State.
Caldwell went on to state his views on FFA’s importance in schools.
“I think it really sets them up for future success,” said Caldwell. “It teaches them about real processes that are used in agricultural businesses.”
