The Switzerland County High School FFA chapter is recognized annually as one of the best in the state; and this year’s members continued that tradition recently with an outstanding showing in the district leadership contest that was held at South Ripley High School.
Advisors Greg Curlin and Kyle Weaver said that they were very proud of the effort that the students put forth, with many of the projects and proficiency areas moving on to the state competition, which will be held during the FFA State Convention being held at Purdue University in June.
Switzerland County students participating included:
– The Ag Issues Forum team of Aarron Woeste, Mark Sharp, Rachel Gurley, Brittany Hall, and Brittney Henderson placed second overall.
– The Ag Communications team of Beth Abbott, Kaleesa Archer, Brittany Hall, and Daniel Welch placed second overall.
– Ariel Clark participated in the Creed Speaking competition.
– Emily Lanman’s chapter exhibit placed second overall.
– Beth Abbott placed second overall in Extemporaneous Public Speaking.
– Jamie Phipps earned first place overall in Freshman Extemporaneous Public Speaking.
– Senior Aaron Moore earned first place in the Job Interview competition.
– In the Leadership Ambassador competition: Matt Wegman represented Switzerland County in the Male Ambassador category; and Kaleesa Archer placed second in the Female Ambassador competition.
– Sara Craig was the chapter’s representative in the Public Speaking Competition.
– Carrie Truax earned second place in the Freshman Public Speaking Competition.
– The Quiz Bowl team of Angela Swanson, Kayla Keith, and Jamie Phipps placed third at the district level.
– In multimedia scrapbook, Kaleesa Archer earned third place.
– Laci Daugherty placed second overall in the Talent category.
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There were also demonstration categories at the district competition.
– The Ag Mechanics Demonstration team of Corey Lay and Justin Reagan placed third overall.
– Heather Peacock and Crystal Bevis participated in the Ag Production Demonstration competition.
– Brittany Hall and Matt Wegman represented their chapter in the Ag Sales Demonstration category.
– Ashley Bovard and Bethany Bragg participated in the Food Science Demonstration category.
– The Horticulture Demonstration was handled by the team of Corey Lay and Justin Levell.
– Sara Craig and Jenna South earned third place in the Natural Resources Demonstration.
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Awards for attaining levels of excellence were also announced.
– Senior Kaleesa Archer has announced that she will be seeking a position as a State Officer for Indiana at the state convention.
– Earning their State Degree were Brandon Otter, Daniel Welch, and Matt Wegman.
– Matt Wegman also earned the District Start in Agri-Science Award.
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Each member of the FFA chapter is expected to develop a proficiency area during their time in the chapter. Those proficiency areas cover a broad spectrum of the agriculture industry, and those students are judged on how well they understand and develop their own particular area.
- Matt Wegman earned first place in Aquaculture; and he also earned first place in Turf Grass Management.
– Kaleesa Archer earned second place in Beef Production.
– Clay Meyer earned second place in Dairy Production.
– Beth Abbott earned first place in Small Animal Care.
– Devon Armstrong earned first place in Landscape Management.
– Corey Lay earned second place in Diversified Crop Placement.
– April Thieman earned first place in Diversified Livestock.
– Somer Alford earned second place in Equine Science.
– Justin Reagan earned second place in Home/Community Development.