By ELISE DALLEY & PAOLA TRUJILLO
The Progress
FFA members from all over the state of Nevada congregated in Reno last week for the annual FFA State Convention. Attendance at the state-wide event was more than 500 strong with 32 of those coming from the Virgin Valley chapter and 26 coming from the Moapa Valley Chapter.
The convention took place from March 20-24 at the University of Nevada, Reno campus and at the Nugget Casino Resort in Reno, Nevada.
During State convention, FFA members participate in different competitive events including milk judging, horse judging, speech contests, Ag mechanics and more. Both local chapters fared well in many of the competitions.
The Moapa Valley chapter brought home an array of different awards. There were 26 MVHS students who won awards in all sorts of backgrounds.
Miriam Werner placed first as an individual in Milk Judging. Meanwhile the M.V. team of Miriam, Dianne Leavitt, Janet Werner and Ashlynn Fisher took second place in the team contest as well.
Janet Werner took first place in the individual Best Informed Greenhand contest. She and the team of Nateya Rider and Fallon Yardley took second place in the same category.
Iain McMurray won first place for individual scores in both Environmental and Natural Resources and Extemporaneous Speaking. He also placed fourth in the individual Farm Business Management event.
Teagen Jensen took 3rd place in the individual Veteran Science contest. The Moapa Valley team of Jensen, Averi Winward, Audrie Devouge and Iain McMurray also took 3rd in the state.
Alan Werner took 4th place as individual in the Agrioculture Technology and Mechanical Systems contest.
Elise Dalley took 3rd place in both Prepared Public Speaking and in Employment Skills.
As a chapter, the Moapa Valley FFA was given a surprise honor. The Chapter won the Best Program of Activities Award for its written record of planned activities which served the FFA’s four pillars: Growing Leaders, Building Communities and Strengthening Agriculture.
“I was also excited for our chapter to win the best Program of Activities award!” exclaimed MV Chapter Vice President Taytum Yardley. “A lot of hard work went into it, especially from our awesome advisor, Mrs. (Lacey)Tom! Moapa Valley FFA was so very deserving of winning it!”
Tom expressed her pride in the way that her youth members performed in competition and also how they conducted themselves with peers throughout the convention.
“I was proud of all the kids that walked across the stage to receive an award,” Tom said. “But I was even more proud when I saw our members interacting with other members and teachers across the state. Our members grew and went out of their comfort zones during the week and I’m so proud of them!”
The Virgin Valley chapter also had some standouts in the competitions at the State Convention.
Cydney Rowley placed first individually for Novice Floriculture. The Virgin Valley floriculture team placed 8th overall and Paola Trujillo placed 10th individually.
Brianna Zarate placed third for Novice Veterinary Science.
The Virgin Valley team for Best Informed Greenhand and team member McKenna Whipple placed 6th.
The Virgin Valley team placed fifth in the Environment and National Resources Contest.
Kinzley Lee as individual, and the Virgin Valley Horse Judging A team, both placed 8th overall in the state.
During the week, the students were able to hear retirement addresses from each of the State FFA Executive Officer team. Each one encouraged the students to be confident and reach for higher goals and ambitions. There were also a variety of different motivational speakers that gave presentations throughout the week.
