The Future Farmers of America chapter at Tooele High School attended a national convention in Louisville, Kentucky, last fall and several students and the chapter received awards.
Individual national awards were won by sophomore Jaren Hudson and senior Bailey Dyson.
The local chapter was presented with a national FFA award that recognizes completed required activities, growth as individuals, work as a team and service to others in the community.
The 18 students from THS that attended had to maintain a 3.0 GPA and attend all required sessions and contests.
The competition was tough, with chapter members attending from all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Led by their advisor, Janette Shields, the Tooele FFA vet team also participated. Prior to competing at the national level they were required to compete in local and state levels.
“The vet science team and Mrs. Shields practiced every week during the summer,” said FFA Advisor Robert Gowans.
The vet team was one of 41 to compete that were tested for veterinary science knowledge and skill in settings, identifying breeds, parasites and equipment, the responsibilities of a vet team involving small to large animals, and more. The vet science team was rewarded a silver team ranking.
Hudson became a national finalist in the Agriscience Fair at the convention.
“He won with an electrical project in the power structure decision,” Gowans said. “He had to turn in a written report to the national association and then present it to the convention and be first place in the state Agriscience Fair.”
The fair had been split into six categories: animal systems, environmental services or natural resource systems, food products and processing systems, plant systems, power or structural and technical systems, and social systems. Each category was ranked and the top 15 received rewards.
Dyson was awarded a gold individual reward and the rest of the students took silver rewards.
The local FFA chapter also participated in the state convention March 12-14 at Snow College in Richfield, Utah. The chapter’s Parliamentary Procedure Team consisted of Jessica Gowans, Bailey Dyson, Andy Maez, Tyrel Ahlstrom, Sarah Eldrad and Scotty Mann. Their alternates were Crystal Ruby and Jessica Jones. The Extemporaneous speaker was Hailey Castagno. The Creed speaker was Cheyenne Tippets.
The chapter’s Power Structures and Technology participants in the FFA science fair were Cecily Davis, Jaren Hudson (National Qualifier) and Hillary Hymer (National Qualifier).
Reagan Thomas received second place in the plant systems division; Micha Douglas received second place in the environmental division; Nicole and Sara Wrathall received second place in the animal systems division; and Hailey Castagno and Riley Ahlstrom received second place in the social systems division
The American Degree National qualifiers were Kassidie Russell, Trey and Taylor Gillespie, Trenton Ruybal and Tyler Hammond.
Gowans received the highest award the FFA gives, the “Distinguished Service Award.” He was nominated by peers for the honor. Coby Champneys and Shields also received, “Honorary State Diplomas” for their service.
All three advisors are happy and proud of the FFA students. Gowans, who has been teaching there for 33 years, has a love for it.
“As advisors, we love to see students become successful and reach their potential,” Gowans said.
All of the advisors have years of experience, with Shields teaching for seven years and Champneys for eight. The Tooele FFA chapter has always done well when it comes to nationals.
“For as long as I can remember, Tooele FFA has always had students qualify for nationals,” said Gowans. “That includes the time that I was an FFA student in the 70s at Tooele High School.”
The school has had many great years through the organization and hopes to keep seeing new faces to send to nationals in years to come.
Peatross is a junior at Tooele High School.