Chinook FFA Earns Top Spots at Ag Expo
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Front Row: Griffen Crowley, Emma Paulsen, Morgan Friede, Grace Buck, Emma Klingaman, Jacob Metcalf, Colton DePriest, Brockton Elliot, Sterling Bemis, Falyn Cecrle, Gracie Skoyen, Kaidence Unruh, Ryan Meneely, Tucker Crawford, and Ashlyn Holfeldt. Back Row: Fletcher Anderson, Ross Valdez, Britt Powell, Kirbey Hofeldt, Neva Lowe, Eyan Hofeldt, Gus Buck, Wyatt Olmstead, and Ben Hofeldt. Not Pictured: Madilyn Gruszie and Kenneth Gruszie
Twenty-six members of the Chinook Chapter of the FFA joined the group of over 1,700 blue jackets that flooded Montana State University campus at the 11th Annual Montana FFA Ag Expo in Bozeman on November 10-12, 2022. Chinook FFA members had several top individual finishers. In addition, the Soils Team took seventh place overall, and both the Junior Mechanics and Junior Horse Judging teams earned ninth place overall.
Sponsored by John Deere Dealers across Montana, the Ag Expo offered opportunities for FFA members to participate in various Career and Leadership Development (CDE) events. Chinook members competed in thirteen of those events offered: Agronomy, Meats Evaluation, Poultry Evaluation, Equipment Operator Driving Contest, Horse Evaluation, Ag Mechanics, Livestock Evaluation, Creed Speaking, Forestry, Veterinary Science, Soils Evaluation, Agriculture Sales, and Range Science.
According to Wylee Simenson, Chinook FFA Chapter Reporter, "Each event required preparation, most of which is based on curriculum taught in the classroom at some point in one of the seven classes in our agricultural education program. Others showcase skills developed in the students' SAE programs, and some are skills and knowledge they receive in other classes within our school. All of which are designed to prepare students for future careers."
Under the influence of this preparation, the team posted the following results:
• Junior Mechanics
1st: Kenneth Gruszie (6th overall)
2nd: Brockton Elliot
3rd: Fletcher Anderson
• Senior Mechanics
1st: Ben Hofeldt
2nd: Jacob Metcalf
3rd: Ross Valdez
• Junior Agronomy
1st: Gracie Skoyen
2nd: Wyatt Olmstead
• Forestry
1st: Kaidance Unruh
• Junior Horse Judging
1st: Neva Lowe
2nd: Britt Powell
3rd: Fletcher Anderson
• Senior Horse Judging:
1st: Grace Buck
2nd: Emma Paulsen
3rd: Morgan Friede
• Junior Livestock
1st: Kenneth Gruszie
2nd: Fletcher Anderson
3rd: Falyn Cecrle
• Senior Livestock
1st: Madilyn Gruszie
2nd: Grace Buck
3rd: Emma Klingaman
• Junior Meats
1st: Madilyn Gruszie
2nd: Kirbey Hofeldt
3rd: Neva Lowe
• Senior Meats
1st: Jacob Metcalf
2nd: Emma Paulsen
3rd: Sterling Bemis
• Senior Poultry
1st: Ashlyn Hofeldt
2nd: Grace Buck
• Range
1st: Gus Buck
2nd: Kaidence Unruh
3rd: Ross Valdez
• Soils
1st: Kaidence Unruh
2nd: Kolton DePriest
3rd: Gus Buck
• Junior Vet Science
1st: Emma Klingaman
• Senior Vet Science
1st: Morgan Friede
2nd: Gracie Skoyen
3rd: Emma Paulsen
Members also had the opportunity to attend leadership workshops and a career trade show, highlighting Montana Agricultural businesses and organizations. While in Bozeman, they toured the Colleges of Engineering and Agriculture and heard an entertaining keynote address about mental health delivered by Stuart Ellis-Myers.
According to the group's Advisor, Mitzi Cecrle, "The students really enjoyed their time networking with each other and with members from all around Montana. We also enjoyed watching and cheering on our very own Chinook Sugarbeeters at the State Volleyball Tournament between competitions-two of which are members of our FFA officer team."
Additionally, a small contingent of FFA members competed in the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) in Billings. At that event, held October 13-22, Ryan Meneely captured first place in Junior Livestock. Meanwhile, competing in Senior Livestock, Lynley Conrad took first; Kenneth Gruszie earned second, and Gus Buck placed third.
Recently, the membership received their fruit and chocolate orders and will be making deliveries soon.
