| Local FFA Regional Champs In National Contest | |||
| By Vernon Robison Moapa Valley Progress Published May 27, 2009 Excitement had been stirring in the local FFA (Future Farmers of America) as four of its members boarded a plane bound for Oklahoma City. The Moapa Valley Land Judging team consisted of Hannah Hardy, Ashlee Diamond, Chandler Whipple, and Brooklynn Shotwell. In September, the team travelled to Fallon, Nevada to compete at the State Land Judging Contest and came home with the State championship. This allowed them with the opportunity to represent Nevada at Nationals. With the help of advisor, Craig Wolfley |
 Mr. Craig Wolfley, Hannah Hardy, Brooklyn Shotwell, Ashlee Diamond and Chandle Whipple of the MVHS FFA recently brought home the title of Future Farmers of America Regional Champions of the Western Region. |
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| and land judging expert Don Holloway, these members had become well equipped with the knowledge and abilities to contend with the other 106 teams competing for the same title.
The grand event began on May 5. Practice sites were set up at two different locations. Here all of the contestants were able to get better acquainted with the different soil textures and other things that differ from their home states. It was the first glimpse of just how competitive the National Contest would be. The morning of the contest the team was excited and ready to go. Approximately 450 FFA members from across the country were likewise excitemed to show their skills. Four different pits were set up for the teams to judge. Judging included determining texture, slope of the land, depth, erosion, permeability, home site qualifications, and various other soil qualities. After about two hours, the contest was closed. The teams now had to wait until later that evening for the results to be announced at the awards banquet. At the banquet, the regional winners were finally announced. The nation is divided up into five separate regions and the high scoring team from each region is named as region champion. “Our ears perked up as they began to announce the Western Region Champion,” said MVHS team member, Ashlee Diamon. “When we heard Moapa Valley, Nevada we were excited and shocked at the same time.” No team in the history of the local chapter had ever competed in the national contest, much less won anything. After celebrating and returning to our hotel that evening, the team learned more of the results. As a team we placed 14th in the nation, with individuals Chandler Whipple placing 19th and Ashlee Diamond placing 36th. |
