We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Montana FFA
Over 1600 FFA members and guests gathered in the Pacific Steel and Recycling Arena at Montana Expo Park in Great Falls, Montana, on the Opening Session of the 96th Annual Montana FFA State Convention and Career/Trade Show. Both the Chinook FFA and the Turner FFA travelled to the Convention, which was held March 31-April 4. While in Great Falls, the two Chapters had the opportunity to tour the Montana Air National Guard base, the Wilcox Egg Packing Plant, the Montana Shed Center, and the facilities of other industry partners. Additionally, students from over 100 Montana communities showcased their skills and knowledge across various competitions.
Advisor Mrs. Kayleigh Turley and members of the Turner Chapter of the FFA were among those in attendance. On Tuesday, the Ag Sales team comprised of Avery Fox, Joe Trautmann, Landon Hickel, and Brady Zellmer competed. With a score of 1132, that group ranked 28th.
Then, on April 1, Rosie Day performed the FFA Creed in the Senior Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE). Another Milk River District competitor in that event was Zoe Scofield from Chinook. However, neither girl reached the top four recorded as winners at the State Convention.
Additionally, Scofield, who had won status as Milk River District's Star Greenhand, unfortunately lost out to the 2026 State Star Greenhand Mia Gill from Park City in the Southern District.
Nonetheless, Chinook's FFA Chapter recorded several other achievements. In individual events, Bryce Elliot captured fifth place in the Employment Skills LDE.
On the team side of competition, the highest placing group for Chinook in state-level competition was the Range Science crew of Samson Sanders, Dane Frey-Haluszka, Ruger Scofield, and Killian Liddle. To test their skills in Range Science, the youth not only took two written tests but identified 30 different plants. Their efforts enabled them to assemble 578 points, putting them in twelfth place.
During the Meat Science team event, Samson Sanders, Carter Rayburn, Paige Murray, and Dane Frey-Haluszka not only judged the quality yield and grade of beef, lamb, and pork cuts but evaluated and placed beef and pork carcasses. The students also identified various cuts of meat in relation to species, primal, and retail cuts. For their efforts, they scored 1416.9 points, which slotted them at17th.
Another competition on April 3 was the Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems (ATMS) Career Development Event (CDE). This competitive category focused on applied physical sciences, agricultural technology, and practical mechanical skills. In Great Falls, RJ Engstrom, Kenneth Gruszie, Bryce Elliot, and Cooper Standiford engaged with tasks in welding, electrical, structures, small engines, and machinery. Together, they earned a team score of 694, leaving them with 23rd place.
Two teams followed in 24th place. With a combined total of 1423 points, Bella Brown, Sydney Bowles, Montana Drugge, and Zoe Scofield collaborated on the Horse Evaluation team.
Similarly, Samson Sanders, Paige Murray, Dane Frey-Haluszka, and Ruger Scofield collected 1325.6 points while competing on the Poultry team.
Securing 25th place with 1427 points, Falyn Cecrle, Paige Murray, Montana Drugge, and Sydney Bowles took on other teams in Veterinary Science.
With heifers, bulls, hogs, ewes, and lambs to evaluate, Zoe Scofield, Wacee Simenson, Bella Brown, and Killian Liddle joined forces in Livestock Evaluation. The foursome ranked 28th after acquiring 1784 points.
In Ag Sales, Bryce Elliot, Zoe Scofield, Killian Liddle, and Wacee Simenson scored 1089, securing 33rd place.
Finally, the Floriculture team of Montana Drugge, Sydney Bowles, Paige Murray, and Paisley MacLeod accumulated 2009 points to obtain 42nd.
All of the efforts from Chinook FFA members landed the team in 42nd place in a field of 66 teams in Team Sweepstakes.
When asked to provide an overall assessment of her FFA Chapter's performance, Cecrle responded: "The FFA members really studied hard, and Chinook represented the Milk River district well. We landed well above average with room for improvement. The older members had amazing placings and the younger members were close behind. The members have a huge future and impressed me as an advisor. We had members on the stage I believe each night. It was a very successful event for the Chinook FFA."
