With agriculture part of the fabric of the Plant City community, it’s no surprise that the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World’s schools cleaned up at this year’s 86th Florida State FFA Convention. The convention took place June 30 to July 4, at the Caribe Royale, in Orlando. More than 4,000 people attended the popular event.
Marshall, Tomlin and Turkey Creek middle schools all received awards, as well as Plant City, Durant and Strawberry Crest high schools.
Any teams that placed first through fifth were recognized on stage.
Tomlin and Turkey Creek middle schools and two Plant City High School teams were distinguished as the only Premier Chapters in the state. Premier status is based on their Program of Activities for the year including student achievements in projects, career development events, competitions and community service.
One of Plant City’s teams, an all-freshman group, won the school some merit after not receiving any state trophies for years.
“A group of freshmen, sophomores in fall, and their advisers, decided it was time for a change,” said Sherrie Mueller, a college and career counselor at the high school. “With a lot of hard work, and with parent and community support, this dream came true at the state FFA convention in Orlando.”
Part of their secret was a lot of practice. They visited the Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs to present their Agricultural Issues presentation. They also asked the Farm Bureau and the University of Florida Collegiate FFA for feedback and critiques. The presentation was a political debate on paladin, an agricultural issue that affected Plant City strawberry growers when they could no longer use methyl bromide.
They will go on to compete in nationals in October, in Louisville, Ky.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
THE WINNERS
Marshall Middle, Adviser Alicia Price
• Hannah Spivey, second place, Prepared Speaking
Tomlin Middle, Advisers Jason Steward and Kayla Giorgi
• Premier Chapter
• Parliamentary Procedure, first place. Members include Kendall Gaudens-Chairman, Caroline Brummer, Mackenzie Steele, Matthew DelCastillo, Lily Batley, Reagan Brown, Madi Conrad and Anna Ress. Coach is Wesley Joyner.
• Meats Judging Team, first place. Members include Matthew DelCastillo, Cole Harrell, Tyler Wright and Garrett Barnes.
• Ornamental Horticulture Demonstration
• Abbie Deweese and Reagan Tears, first place, Artistic Arrangement
• Madi Conrad and Delaney Flower, first place, Landscaping Area
• Reagan Brown and Kendall Gaudens, second place,Consumer Use
• Lily Batley and Katelyn Yarbrough, second place, Production Area
• Forestry Team, second place. Members include Clayton Brock, Kyle Brooks, Matthew DelCastillo, J.P. Prescott, Selena Ortega and Sydney Swartman.
• Dairy Judging Team, second place. Members includeGracie Lee, Dalton Vanderford, Chas Waller and Sean Yagins.
• Vegetable Judging Team, second place. Members includeRussell Butler, Jermiah Ford, J.P. Prescott, SydneySwartman, Savannah Tucker and Noah Zeff.
• Talent, Emma Poole
Turkey Creek Middle, Advisers Allison Sparkman and Buddy Coleman
• Premier Chapter
• Livestock Judging, second place. Members include Chloe Tew, Jacob Gainer, James Jurnigan and Jessica Tillis
Durant High School, Advisers Tim Cribbs, Kendall Burnette and Thomas Sturgis
• Parliamentary Procedure, first place. Members include Mariah Kunze, Kaitlyn Taylor, Clint Walden, Alyssa Shepherd, Mylie Feaster and Keri Greenwood.
• Job Interview, first place, Mylie Feaster
• High School Prepared Speaking, second place, Mylie Feaster
Proficiency Awards
• Kassidy Hastings, first place, Sheep Production
• Alex Fernandez, first place, Landscape Management
• State Star Greenhand finalist, Jacob Burnette
• State Farmer Degree
Jacob Belisle, Dalton Dry, Mylie Feaster, Miranda Lane, Alyssa Shepherd, Alex Fernandez, Cole Ebdrup, Konnore Long, Heather Ross and Tori Griffith
• American Farmer Degree
Haley Smith, Morgan Belsley, Kennedy Dean, Jerri Rowell, Jesse Coleman, Kelsey Newsome and Miranda Mayo
• Elections
Mylie Feaster, Area V State FFA vice president
Plant City High School, Advisers Leigh Cason and Michael Paul
Premier Chapter
• J.G. Smith and Plant City Senior Chapter
• Agricultural Issues, first place. Members include Arie Fry, Ashlyn Yarbrough, Gresham Stephens, Benji Padgett, Megan Todd, Taylor Grimes and Lauren Schism
• Talent, Benji Padgett
Strawberry Crest High, Advisers Susan Mayo, Julie Alfonso and Michelle Cesario.
• Agricultural Issues, Second place. Members include Corey Newcomb, Savannah Vida, Marcus Hobbs, Morgan Lee, Shannon Gill and Haley Flack.
• Creed Speaking Contest, second place, Haley Riley
• Florida FFA State Star Greenhand, Anna Conrad
• State FFA secretary, Victoria Harris
WALDEN, HOBLICK RECEIVE FFA BLUE AND GOLD AWARD
Pam Walden, the supervisor for agriculture and JROTC for Area 6, and John Hoblick from Florida Farm Bureau also won awards at this year’s convention. Both received the FFA Blue and Gold Award for outstanding service and commitment to the Florida FFA Association.