West Rowan FFA has another impressive year at national convention
Published 12:00 am Thursday, November 21, 2019
Submitted photos Competing members of West Rowan's FFA show a certificate from their national convention competition.
Submitted photo West Rowan High School FFA students at the National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Submitted photo Four West Rowan FFA members took part in the poultry evaluation career development event at the national convention.
Submited photo Some of the West Rowan FFA students holding their citations from placing in a competition.
The 92nd National FFA Convention and Expo was held in Indianapolis on Oct. 30-Nov. 2. Local teams and individuals brought home awards.
The convention gave West Rowan High School students the opportunity to visit a career fair, shop at the FFA Mega Store, attend sessions led by the national officer team, compete in career development events, attend a hypnotist show, and enjoy a Tenille Townes and Brett Young concert.
West Rowan sent five competing teams and one National Proficiency Award finalist. The teams were Agricultural Issues, Prepared Public Speaking, Agricultural Sales, Poultry Evaluation, and Farm & Agribusiness Management.
The students were accompanied by advisers Jason Chester, Tori Cardea, Matthew Owen and Alex Silliman.
The Agricultural Issues team included Rebekah Russell, Chloe Patterson, Madeline Kluttz, MacKenna Clifton, Ben Suggs and Taylor Walton. The leadership development event was sponsored by Elanco Animal Health and Syngenta. The team placed fourth in the nation and was awarded a gold ranking. Each member was awarded a $300 scholarship. Chester is the team’s adviser.
West Rowan’s Mayerlin Alpizar was the North Carolina champion in Prepared Public Speaking and was awarded a bronze ranking. This event was sponsored by Bayer. Chester is also her adviser.
The Agricultural Sales team included Mira White, Jack Wilhelm, Gavin Staton and Ezra Nance. The career development event was sponsored by Bayer. The team was awarded a silver ranking. The adviser is Chester.
The Poultry Evaluation team included Josie Correll, Sydney Swing, Grace Walters and Miranda Miller. The event was sponsored by the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, Newly Weds Foods and Tyson. The team was awarded a silver ranking. The adviser is Silliman.
The Farm & Agribusiness Management team included Lauren Hayes, Sierra Simmerson, Kevin Sullivan and Steve Wilmot. The event was sponsored by John Deere. The team was awarded a silver ranking, and Sullivan earned a Gold individual ranking. Silliman is the team’s adviser.
Abigail Wilson was a national finalist in the Sheep Production Entrepreneurship/Placement Proficiency Award and received $500.
