FFA advances to state level after area competition

The Vandegrift wool judging team competed April 12, advancing to state: Brady Butner (12th), Tori Jones (12th), Kaya Kinsey (11th), and Madison Slack (9th).

The ​Vandegrift ​entomology team, ​consisting of all sophomores, advances to state: Kenna Olson, Lillian Nutt, Carly Johnson, Belle Autry​.

By LYNETTE HAALAND ,Four Points News

Vandegrift FFA teams are heading to state after mastering a variety of skills and advancing from area competitions.

One of those teams is making history. A new competition was launched by the Texas FFA Association this season and Vipers took the top prize. 

The applied agricultural engineering team won the area contest on March 28 and state on April 1 under the direction of Joe Lemmons, VHS agriculture science teacher and FFA advisor.

Vandegrift vet science team: Tyler Mapes (12th), Spencer Jordan (11th), Zoe Bush (12th), and Eimhin Dewan (12th) is advancing to the state competition.

“This was a huge deal because it’s the inaugural year for this particular competition,” said Magan Escamilla, VHS agriscience teacher and FFA advisor. “To be the very first champion is pretty sweet!”

Wool judging 

The Viper wool judging team got 2nd place on April 12 and are advancing to state at Texas Tech University on April 23. Tori Jones (12th) got 1st high individual and Kaya Kinsey (11th) got 6th. Other team members include Brady Butner (12th) and Madison Slack (9th).

Vet science

The Vandegrift vet science team got 2nd place at the area contest on April 11 and secured a state advancing slot. 

At Monday’s contest Spencer Jordan (11th grade) was 3rd high individual and Eimhin Dewan (12th grade) was 10th high individual. Other members of the team are Tyler Mapes (12th) and Zoe Bush (12th).

The state vet science contest will be held on Saturday, April 30 at the Texas A&M University vet school.

Entomology

Entomology competed at the area contest on April 2 and placed 3rd. The Viper team consists of Isabelle Autry, Lillian Nutt, Carly Johnson and Kenna Olson.

They advanced to the state contest that will be held at Texas Tech University on Saturday, April 23. 

The Vandegrift applied agricultural engineering team won their area and state contests recently in the inaugural year for this competition. L-R: VHS seniors Javier Huertas, Lucas Landrum, Joe Lemmons (advisor), Joshua Ellenberger, Tristan Lowe.

Applied agricultural engineering  

The team consists of four Vandegrift seniors Joshua Ellenberger, Tristan Lowe, Javer Huertas, and Lucas Landrum. 

Landrum placed 4th overall individually at the state contest, Ellenberger placed 9th individually, and Huertas placed 11th individually.

The 100-point exam included: welding theory, facts, technical information interpretation, welding symbols, electrode identification and selection, gas facts and selection, material costs, welding math applications, etc.