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Highland FFA competes in contest
MONTEREY - The Highland FFA is competing again. The chapter has not competed in many contests this winter but it has been busy in April. It competed in cattle working in early April and on April 15, Savannah Hevener competed in the Augusta Federation FFA Creed Contest at Beverly Manor Middle School.
All of the Augusta Federation middle schools were present so there were seven competitors ranging from sixth-eighth grade. Savannah is a sixth-grader so she has a couple of years left to compete. She was coached by Steve Heavner, advisor, Lee Beasley, Randy Hooke, and Susan Murray at school. She did well in her first contest but did not place in the top three individuals. Hooke said he did not know how anyone could beat her but the competition is tough in this federation. Lisa Hevener and Heavner chaperoned and Amy Hull went along for moral support.
On April 24 the chapter competed in the state FFA Poultry Judging contest at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds in Harrisonburg. The competition as usual was very tough. After losing the senior team last year, Highland had to reload the poultry team. This year's senior team was made up of all sophomores. Tyler Jamison, Benjamin Hull, Rachel Murray, and Chance Massey competed this year in the state contest.
This group placed eighth, which is good. Jamison led the team with a 19th place finish, Hull placed 21st, Murray placed 37th and Massey finished 41st. This team was 81 points away from fourth place. Highland County is very competitive and these students will have a great chance of winning this contest over the next two years, Heavner says.
Highland also had two junior teams competing. An eighth grade team and a sixth grade team competed in the junior contest. The eighth grade team placed fifth overall. This team consisted of Emily Botkin, who finished sixth overall, Ashley Hiner finished 17th, Kyle Judy finished 37th, and Lauren Siron placed 40th.
The sixth grade team placed 12th. This team was made up of Burgundy Hicks, who placed 16th, Savannah Hevener placed 39th, and Robert Moyers placed 44th. This group has a lot to learn but did a great job, Heavner said.
These teams had to grade carcasses, identify parts, place laying hens, grade eggs, and place turkey carcasses. Every year it gets more competitive and the students seem to enjoy learning something new.
The highlight of the day was going to visit the Cargill Turkey Feedmill in Harrisonburg. The feedmill is the tallest building in Harrisonburg. "We were privileged to go to the top of the feedmill and look all over Rockingham County. We also were told how much corn and other ingredients are put into turkey feed. Tractor and trailers were being loaded while we were there and we saw where they unloaded rail cars on the train tracks.," Heavner said. "The feedmill was not making feed on that day so it was very quiet and the tour was great. An interesting fact was that Savannah's grandfather and great uncle raised turkeys for Cargill/ Rocco."
Chaperones for the day were Alan Puffenbarger, Murray and Heavner. Kimber Fines went along for moral support and to see what the contest involves for next year.
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