By Sierra Lambert

Special to the Post

MOUNT ULLA — The West Rowan High School Future Farmers of America chapter attended the 89th state FFA convention in Raleigh on June 20-22.

More than 30 of West Rowan’s FFA members attended and competed in career development events.

Sierra Lambert, Sandi Cobb, Mikayla Williamson and Chloe Bolick placed second in the dairy foods and products career development event.

Stacie Ketchie, Ryler Corriher and Parker Greene placed first in meat judging.

In agricultural communications, West Rowan’s Mackenna Clifton, Jessie Cline, Rebekah Russell and Brittany Melchor earned second place.

Sierra Lambert, Parker Greene, Carly Burleyson, Madeline Wilhelm, Mayerlin Alpizar and Ryley Corriher placed second in agricultural issues career development.

Faith Moore, Rebekah Russell, Tinsleigh Myers and Ali Keys placed fourth in agronomy.

Eli Wetmore, Colby Menius, Josh Corriher, and Corbin Bolick earned fourth in tool identification.

West Rowan’s Mayerlin Alpizar placed second in the state for prepared public speaking.

West Rowan also competed in food science. Those members were Alexandra Linder, Cindy Connolly, Abigail Wilson and Lauren Hayes.

Mackenna Clifton competed in creed speaking.

Alex Keadle was the state individual high scorer for ag mechanics, and Josh Corriher was the state individual high scorer for tool identification.

West Rowan’s FFA chapter was awarded the National Chapter award placing second in the state and will compete at the national level. The chapter also received the outstanding alumni affiliate chapter.

West Rowan’s chapter president, Madeline Wilhelm, was elected as a 2017-18 state secretary. She is the fourth state officer ever elected from the West Rowan chapter.

Star awards were given at the convention to Wilhelm for agriscience, placing first in the state, and Brandon Lottes for state star farmer, placing first.

West Rowan received proficiency awards including: Johnathan Luther for agricultural mechanics placement, Devin Simmons for agricultural processing, Mackenzie Koontz for agriscience research on animal systems, Madeline Wilhelm for agriscience research on integrated systems, Alexandra Linder for agriscience research on plant systems, Autumn Kinley for beef production entrepreneurship, Robert Simcox for beef production placement, Macy Burleyson for sheep production and specialty animal production, Hunter Williams for dairy production placement, Lea Smith for diversified agricultural production, Brittany Alexander for equine science entrepreneurship, Wyatt Martin for equine science placement, Richard Bedford for forest management and products, Luke Hager for goat production, and Lea Smith for grain production placement.