Weiser FFA Chapter attends competition in Moscow

Although FFA is a high school club, the Weiser High School students and teachers, Robi Salisbury and Patti Matthews are busy throughout the summer months. Between traveling for competition and getting ready for the fair, the summer is full.  
 On June 5 the chapter went to Moscow, Idaho to compete in the Idaho FFA State Career and Leadership Development Events competition. This event happens annually the first week of June at the University of Idaho campus in Moscow.  The competition challenges students to develop critical thinking skills, teamwork and communication skills while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement.
 Twelve students attended the event; Kasey Kautz, Clayton Moore, Banzer Arnett, Mecarte Olsen, Alexa Martin, Lexie Wrenfrow, AvYiea Mackay, Chloe Mackenzie, Erin Larsen, Hannah Grace, Kylee Erickson and Lydia Fredrick. As a group they competed in four different competitions; food science, livestock judging evaluation, dairy cattle evaluation and potato evaluation. 
 The food science team was Kasey Kautz, Lexie Wrenfrow, Chloe Mackenzie and Kylee Erickson. 
 The livestock judging evaluation team was Moore, Grace and Erickson.  
 The dairy cattle evaluation team included Olsen, Arnett, Mackay and Martin. 
 The potato evaluation team was Kautz, Larsen, Fredrick and Mackenzie.
 This was the first year that the potato evaluation CDE took place. The Weiser team placed fourth place in this event and Kasey Kautz was fourth highest individual.
 For livestock judging Clayton Moore took first place out of 211 students competing. Salisbury shared that this is an awesome accomplishment for Moore and for the Weiser chapter. 
 Moore shared about his experience with the CDEs. Prior to state, there were many practices with the team, real hands-on experiences with local livestock, and endless hours spent preparing.  
 “One of my favorite parts of this specific trip is how many opportunities there are for synergy. Apart from competition day, the week is filled with exploring the U of I campus and downtown Moscow with the chapter. The only thing we can do on competition day is our best. After all, it is the preparation and practice that got us here in the first place,” Moore said
 Moore shared that he felt the most  stress on Friday morning waiting to hear how they all did. 
 “Imagine you’re on stage, and they start announcing names from the top fifth, fourth, third, and finally, they announce second place. And your name still hasn’t been called yet. Finally, your name is announced first. I can finally breathe again. It’s in this five-second moment I realized all those grueling hours of work were all worth it. Of course, I have to thank my coaches, advisors, and friends who helped me every step of the way because none of this would’ve been possible without their endless support,” Moore said.
 Aside from spending the week competing, the team also toured the University of Idaho campus and attended an event that showcased different opportunities that students have at University of Idaho. The team also toured Washington State University across the border in Pullman. 
 “We have been practicing for these competitions since April and it is an awesome way to wrap the year up for FFA,” Salisbury said. 
 The summer is a busy time for both of the FFA instructors. After spending the first week of June in Moscow with students, throughout the summer they also conduct SAE visits in which they visit all the students and their animals that are going to the fair. They also spend time at the end of June attending the Idaho Ag Teacher Association professional development to network and learn with other ag teachers throughout the state.  
 Weiser will have 36 students taking animal projects to the Washington Country fair representing Weiser FFA. Fair is July 25-30 and each of these students spend all summer feeding, caring for and training these animals to get fair ready. 
 

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