Elma FFA travels to national competition

Individuals win awards and recognition.

The Elma FFA Chapter sent two teams, poultry evaluation and agricultural communications, to the 90th National FFA Organization in Indianapolis Oct. 25-28.

The agricultural communications team placed eighth in the nation with Mickey Velasco and Mikhaela Nelson placing as gold individuals and Shayla Kelly and Abigail Spoonhoward placing as silver individuals.

The poultry evaluation team also had success placing 13th in the nation. Florencio Ramirez placed gold as an individual with Hannah Hartley, Aaron Bultman and Kilian Acuff placed as silver individuals.

The FFA Agricultural Communications CDE is a competitive activity that has the students propose a media plan in a portfolio and in a presentation for a panel of judges. Along with the media plan, the individuals must complete their own practicums — web design, video producer, journalistic writing and opinion writing — along with a communications quiz and an editing exercise.

The FFA Poultry Evaluation CDE tests the contestants as a consumer scientist by evaluating the interior and exterior of eggs, boneless and bone-in further processed poultry, identifying parts of a broiler or turkey, placing a class of live broilers, egg-producing hens and ready-to-cook carcasses. The poultry evaluation team showcases their problem solving and cooperative teaming skills by answering questions and giving a presentation to a panel of judges.

The Elma FFA Chapter was one of five from Washington state to receive the highest chapter honor as a 3 Star National Chapter.

Collegiate members, Paige Kershaw and Wyatt Gray were awarded the American Degree. It is the highest honor bestowed on individual FFA members. It encompasses the FFA career in leadership, community service, academic achievement and work experience through their supervised agricultural experience.

In addition to competing, Elma FFA teens participated in the National FFA Career Show, attended National FFA sessions, toured Indianapolis Speedway, Churchill Downs and Louisville Slugger Museum.

Elma FFA advisers Christi Kershaw, Emily Wamsley and Katie Macy coached the students.