Elma FFA students named state champs

Twenty-one Elma FFA members competed and earned top awards

By Christi Kershaw • June 13, 2017 7:00 pm
Ag Comm State Champs: Elma FFA Agricultural Communications team wins the state championship and will represent Washington at the national level this coming fall in Indianapolis, Ind. at the National FFA Convention. Team members left to right: Mikhaela Nelson, Abigail Spoonhoward, Mickey Velasco, and Shayla Kelly.
Ag Comm State Champs: Elma FFA Agricultural Communications team wins the state championship and will represent Washington at the national level this coming fall in Indianapolis, Ind. at the National FFA Convention. Team members left to right: Mikhaela Nelson, Abigail Spoonhoward, Mickey Velasco, and Shayla Kelly.

Elma FFA captured the state title for the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE) at the Washington State FFA Convention in Pullman on May 11-13.

In total, 21 Elma FFA members competed in events and earned top awards for their efforts at the state convention.

The champion team includes Mikhaela Nelson, Shayla Kelly, Mickey Velasco, and Abigail Spoonhoward. Nelson and Kelly placed first and fifth respectfully as individuals in the state event. The team will submit a communications plan. Next they will present the plan to a panel of judges along with an editing and communications test and a practicum in web design, video production, journalistic writing and opinion writing.

“I feel like our improvements from last year’s fourth place to a state champion was the result of hard work and many hours of dedication,” Nelson said. “The desire to win and better our knowledge base and skills will assist us at the national level and for life. I am excited to represent Washington as champions.”

Elma FFA captured six top-eight finalist placings. Abigail Spoonhoward placed third in State Employment Skills Leadership Development Event (LDE) where she completed a job interview, various practicums and submitted paperwork as it relates to securing employment opportunities. Hannah Hartely, Morgan Thompson and David Downing also competed at the sub-state level in this event.

The Elma FFA Chapter was honored the highest rank as a 3-Star National Chapter and was recognized as the third best chapter in the state. The honor is earned from an application score and a presentation scored by a panel of judges. Hartley along with Aaron Bultman and Emily Rockey presented Elma FFA chapter activities. Additionally, Elma FFA was honored with 100-percent membership.

Farm business management tested math problem solving with Florencio Ramirez Ramirez, Kilian Acuff, Mickey Velasco, and Ezekiel Mueller placing sixth as a team.

The elite event at the State FFA Convention is parliamentary procedure with Elma placing sixth overall. Velasco, Morgan Thompon, Bultman, Hartley, Nelson, and Spoonhoward completed a knowledge test, team problem solving activity and parliamentary procedure law demonstration.

Kortney Bailey, Bultman and Hartley submitted a portfolio and created a presentation about a current agricultural issue to place eighth in the state in the agricultural issues event.

Collegiate members, Wyatt Gray and Paige Kershaw were recognized as American Degree candidates at the state level to be advanced for national consideration. It is the highest honor for FFA members. It encompasses the FFA members full career of FFA activities, leadership, community service, academic success and work experience.

Elma FFA competed in other career development events including milk quality and products, food science, conduct of chapter meetings, and meats evaluation. Other members competing were Albert Swalander, William Sturniolo, Chloe Velasco, Kaelyn Burgher, Jalyn Sackrider, Quin Mikel, Rachel Boomer and Alaina Brown. The advisors, coaches, and chaperones were Tyler Renz, Emily Wamsley, Christi Kershaw, Ariel Kapur, Carl Jonsson and Donna Boyer.

Elma FFA will represent Washington State, in one of 19 events, and compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Oct. 25-28, 2017.