SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – The Scottsbluff FFA chapter has been busy during the fall semester. In the range judging event, Scottsbluff entered a team consisting of Addison Wright, who placed fifth and received a green ribbon, Graham Kovarik who placed seventh and received a green ribbon, and Brooke Holzworth who placed 18th, while the team placed second overall. In the land judging event Scottsbluff had two teams. The first team, which placed first overall, consisted of Cody Hagen who placed first individually overall and received a purple ribbon, Daniel Hiltgen who placed sixth and received a blue ribbon, John Spehar who placed 23rd and received a red ribbon, and Blake Hill who placed 55th. The second team, who placed 14th, consisted of Allison Carpenter who placed 42nd, Marlee Neu who placed 51st, Kailey Pinney who placed 52nd, and Samantha Pinney who placed 63rd. 

Scottsbluff FFA members, Kaden Bradley, Kailey Pinney, MarLee Neu, Emily Carpenter, and Allison Carpenter attended the 2018 National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct. 24-26, in Indianapolis, Ind. The members attended the first session of the FFA Convention, where the keynote speaker was Kyle Scheele, who has built sculptures out of cardboard and invites people to send him regrets they may have so that he may rid of them by setting them on fire inside of his cardboard sculptures.

Sixteen members of the Scottsbluff FFA earned their Greenhand Degrees and 10 members received Chapter Degrees on Nov. 5. Also awarded following the degree ceremonies, 14 FFA members received sponsored FFA jackets – Sam Pinney, sponsored by Todd and Heather Neu, Austen Adams, sponsored by Don Hill, Anna Teson, sponsored by June Castilo and Troy Jenkins, Kaidynce Lygera, sponsored by Steve and Rhonda Flower, Graham Kavoric, sponsored by Dennis and Cateena Hill, Jade Painter, sponsored by Coltona and Tessa Flower, Celeste Montgomery, sponsored by Dallas and Anna Todd, Emzi Coop, sponsored by The Haywards, Justin Sharp, sponsored by The Haywards, Angel Poorbear, sponsored by The Alumni, Alazay Trevino, sponsored by The Alumni, Whitney Castillo Powell, sponsored by The Alumni, Trylen Ludwig, sponsored by Culvers, and Yajahira Juarez, sponsored by Culvers. 

On Nov. 14, many Scottsbluff FFA members participated in the LDE contests. In Parliamentary Procedure, the team placed second overall and qualified for state. Members of the team were Jayden Allen, Allison Carpenter, Daniel Hiltgen, Kailey Pinney, MarLee Neu, and John Spehar. In Creed Speaking, Graham Kovarik received a blue ribbon. In Junior Prepared Public Speaking, ElsieAnn Cron received a blue ribbon. In Senior Prepared Public Speaking, Neveah Heinhold and MarLee Neu both received a blue ribbon. In Extemporaneous Speaking, Carson Wilmont received a blue ribbon. In Employment Skills, Lauren Nichols received a purple ribbon and Kaden Bradley received a red ribbon. In Ag Demonstration, Team 1 consisting of Jade Painter and Anna Teson received a blue ribbon and Team 2 consisting of Emzie Coop and Kaidynce Lygora received a red ribbon.

LDE contest events participants: Jayden Allen, Allison Carpenter, Daniel Hiltgen, Kailey Pinney, MarLee Neu,  John Spehar, Graham Kovarik, ElsieAnn Cron, Neveah Heinhold, Carson Wilmont, Lauren Nichols, Kaden Bradley, Jade Painter, Anna Teson, Emzie Coop and Kaidynce Lygora.

New year, new events

The Scottsbluff FFA chapter started off the year very busy with the first round of CDE’s (Career Development Events) on Jan. 9. Livestock Management placed fourth overall, qualifying for state, and placed first in the Beef category, receiving a plaque. The team consisted of Lauren Nichols, Kaden Bradley, Emily Carpenter, Kailey Pinny, and Neveah Heinold. Floriculture, placed second overall as a team, consisting of Graham Kavorik, Anna Teson, Emzie Coop who placed first overall, and Cadence Ligora. Welding placed 3rd overall, the team consisted of John Spehar, Trayton Travnicek who placed third individually, and Jacob Ratliff placed second individually. Ag Sales, placed fourth overall. The team consisted of Carson Wilmont, Jordan Fisher, Nate Holloway who placed 2nd overall receiving a purple ribbon, and Allison Carpenter.

Looking forward, members will be participating in the second round of CDE’s in Gordon-Rushville. Scottsbluff FFA will field teams in Farm and Ranch Management, Vet Science, Food Science, and Ag mechanics.

The Scottsbluff FFA Chapter is gearing up for a great National FFA Week. To start off a fantastic week, officers will be giving turnovers to teachers on Tuesday morning. Wednesday, members will be participating in a school-wide campus clean up after school and are encouraged to wear their FFA T-shirts during the school day. 

Thursday, FFA members are encouraged to wear official dress to school to promote the organization and agriculture. That evening, the Scottsbluff FFA chapter will be having a meeting run by Junior Officers. Afterwards, members are encouraged to go bowling as a chapter. 

The week will come to end with a hamburger feed for members during lunch. Throughout the week, students are encouraged to participate in daily FFA trivia.