Paintrock FFA finds success at state

The Paintrock FFA Chapter’s hard work this past year was proven due to the numerous awards and recognitions received at the 97th Wyoming FFA State Convention in Cheyenne. The chapter took 39 members and 11 teams to the convention. Many of these teams were able to walk across the stage for their recognition.
The Paintrock chapter had one state champion team this year: the junior high poultry evaluation team. This team consisted of members Kadence Powell, Khloe Gordon, Jaxon Womack, and Denton Nyberg. The contest consists of judging and grading multiple products, carcasses and eggs. Additionally, members must place two classes of live birds. Khloe Gordon placed third overall and Kadence Powell was the high individual overall.
The chapter had three reserve state champion teams: the high school poultry evaluation team, the farm business management team, and the parliamentary procedure team.
The poultry evaluation team consisted of Nick Olmstead, Camden Schriner, Curtis Strohschein and Gavyn Cervantes. In addition to the requirements of the junior high contest, these members also had to give a set of reasons on the Readyto Cook Toms class. In addition to being the reserve state champions, the team was also the high team in reasons and Olmstead was the high individual overall for the second year in a row.
The farm business management team, which was coached by Tony Anson, included Maycee McKim, Guadalupe Jimenez, Brendan Powell and Varissa Olsen. In this contest, individuals take a three-hour long test which requires financial knowledge about running a farm or ranch, including budgeting, risk management, and cash flows. The event also includes a team activity where teammates are presented with a financial scenario and they must determine how to improve the situation. McKim was the third high individual overall and Jimenez was the high individual overall in the contest.
In the parliamentary procedure contest, members run a meeting where they must debate, vote, make motions and answer questions based on their presentation. Team members included Avery Clifford, Teagan Kozisek, Maycee McKim, Nick Olmstead, Guadalupe Jimenez, and Hyson Hill. Maycee was nominated by the judges as the outstanding member of the contest.
Paintrock FFA also had three teams that placed third overall: the marketing plan team, the mechanics team, and the environmental and natural resources team. The marketing plan team consisted of Vinaya VanderPloeg, Brooklynn Paxton and Johnna Clifford. The team partnered with Heidi Collingwood and The Country Flower for this contest. In marketing plan, members use marketing and business knowledge to create and present a marketing plan for a local agribusiness.
The mechanics team, coached by Justin Osmond-Roussan, consisted of Ty Strohschein, Josh Wildman, Matt Brown, and Cal Reuter. In this contest, members must perform skills related to welding, electricity and small gas engines. Additionally, individuals complete a written exam that covers agricultural technology and mechanical areas.
The environmental and natural resources team included Mason Rosencranse, Ethan Olsen, Alan Landis, and Cooper Zierolf. Rosencranse was also the third high individual in the contest. In the ENR event members demonstrate skills relevant to GPS navigation, soil science, water management, and wildlife conservation. Additionally, students identify wildlife, fish and plants.
The meats evaluation team of Ridge Lewis, Alan Landis, Cooper Zierolf and Curtis Strohschein placed fifth overall. Participants in the event dive into the science of meat. Students evaluate beef carcasses for quality and yield grade, place wholesale and retail cuts, and identify retail cuts of beef, pork, and lamb.
Finally, in the success of all of the career development events, the Paintrock FFA placed third in the CDE Sweepstakes, which includes all FFA chapters from 1A to 4A schools. Additionally, the chapter was a Gold Emblem Chapter in Wyoming FFA.
Paintrock FFA members saw a lot of success at this year’s state convention and are looking forward to competing next year.