Future Farmers of America (FFA) Agricultural Sales and Service team placed 1st in State at the 88^th annual Washington State FFA convention held at the Washington State University Campus in Pullman May 10-12th. Seniors Vanessa Figueroa, Marji Jordan-Sabo, Rosie Vejvoda, and Freshman Kody Richards were crowned State Champions after competing with a field of 36 teams. Individually Kody Richards placed second overall, Vanessa Figueroa fourth, and Rosie Vejvoda sixth out of about 140 students.  

The win qualifies the team to compete in national competition in Indianapolis, Indiana October 24-27, 2018, representing the State of Washington at the National Food Science contest. 

“Those girls worked very hard for this,” said FFA advisor Dan Ellwood, “some of them for 3 years. I am so very honored to work with those kids!”

Other FFA advisors are Matt Asplund, Hannah Schneider, and Matt Kline. 

Ellwood also said FFA welcomes donations to help fund the trip. “Powered River Livestock has generously donated $2500,” said Ellwood. Interested donors can contact Mr. Ellwood at 663-81179, or email ellwood.d@wenatcheeschools.org.

PHOTO: Vanessa Figueroa, Kody Richards, Advisor Dan Ellwood, Rosie Vejvoda and Marji Jordan-Sab

Other FFA Convention Competition Results:

FFA Creed Speaking:  Kody Richards placed 2^nd overall out of the 32 students who qualified at previous levels for the state finals

Employment Skills:  Kody Richards placed 4^th overall out of the 32 students who qualified at previous levels for the state finals.  

Extemporaneous Speaking:  Kody Richards placed 5^th overall out of the 32 students who qualified at previous levels for the state finals.  

Wenatchee’s second Agriculture Sales and Service team also competed, but unfortunately did not make the top 8 teams.  The team consisted of Keiren Cook, Adi Mathison, Kadi Compton, and Leo Gutzwiler.  Keiren was the highest scoring individual on the team, placing ninth individually in the entire competition.  

Two teams competed for Wenatchee in the First Year Member CDE, an opportunity for the youngest FFA members to demonstrate their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. Team one consisted of Emily King, Anders Sherman, and Jadyn Wertz.  The second team consisted of Kadi Compton, Leo Gutzwiler, and Gage Mathison.

The FARM for Kids Team, made up of Brook Boggs, Emily Mayhew, Hunter Brown, Dawson Carroll, Jonny Karcutski, Matthew Schott, Keiren Cook, Amber Cook, and Makenzie Trefry  placed 15^th out of 23 teams. The team highlighted the Animal Farm activity, completed at the high school where first grade students were brought in from various elementary schools to learn about animals for the first time.

The Milk Quality and Products Evaluation team, consisting of  Brook Boggs, Hunter Brown, Amber Cook, Keiren Cook, and Wyatt English placed 10^th in their competition out of 32 teams.  Team members identified cheeses by taste, cited defects in milk, tested milk quality, and took a general knowledge exam about milk and dairy products.

In the National Chapter competition, participants highlight the FFA chapters activities from throughout the previous year.  Wenatchee’s team, consisting of Brooke Boggs, Anna Gonzalez, Katie Gonzalez, Alex Mayer, and Makenzie Trefry earned a Superior Chapter rating, placing the Wenatchee FFA in the top 15 chapters from throughout the State of Washington.

Recognition was also given for Wenatchee’s participation in other CDE events throughout the 2017-2018 school year.  The Wenatchee FFA Horse Evaluation and Forestry teams walked across the stage in front of the 4000+ students in attendance to receive the following recognitions:

The Wenatchee FFA Horse Evaluation team was recognized as the 2^nd place team overall.  Team members included Keiren Cook, Amber Cook, Emily Mayhew, and Camryn Pike.  Top individuals included Amber Cook who placed 1^st overall, and Keiren Cook who placed second. 

In the State Forestry CDE held two weeks prior to state convention, the Wenatchee FFA placed 3^rd  out of 15 teams.  Team members included Eythen Wood, Heaven Sanchez, Leo Gutzwiler, Brandi King, and Marshall Bertomeu.  Eythen and Heaven placed 4^th and 10^th respectively amongst all competitors individually.

Other Wenatchee FFA Chapter News

Four Wenatchee FFA members were recognized for completing their State FFA Degree applications.  Adi Mathison, Camryn Pike, Matthew Schott, and Eythen Wood successfully completed the requirements over their past three or four years of high school to earn the coveted recognition.  National FFA rules state that this award can be given to no more than 3% of the state FFA membership. 

Wenatchee FFA’s Environmental & Natural Resources team placed 2nd at there state contest, which was held on April 23rd in Stanwood. Keiren Cook placed 9th individual at this contest.

The National FFA Organization is the largest youth organization in the world with over 500,000 students with over 7,200 chapters in all 50 states, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.  The Washington State FFA Association is comprised of approximately 10,000 members in 180 active chapters.  FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.  Visit www.ffa.org or www.washingtonffa.org for more information.

For further information about the Washington State FFA Convention or the Wenatchee FFA, contact any of the four advisors: Matt Asplund, Dan Ellwood, Hannah Schneider, or Matt Kline at Wenatchee High School during regular school hours.