Mount Pleasant High School FFA members competed in the Area 6 Career Development Events contests on April 14-15 at East Texas A&M University in Commerce. Four teams advanced to their state competitions including Nursery/Landscape, Livestock, Forestry, and Agronomy.

The Nursery/Landscape team of Samuel Chappell, Jeseth Monreal, Michelle Ramirez, and Xitlaly Sanchez placed 4th at Area and will compete at State at Sam Houston University on April 24-25. This CDE encourages members to apply their landscaping, marketing, and service skills as they complete a written exam, identify various landscaping plant materials, and evaluate plant materials and landscape plans.

The Livestock team of Rebecca Dunn, Kiley Lockey, Bowdrie Priefert, and Gunner Rodgers placed 4th at Area and qualified for the State contest at Texas A&M University on April 25-26. During the Livestock Evaluation event, students rank breeding and market classes of beef, sheep and swine.

The Forestry team of Jonathan Dalby, Lelo Santiago, and Coleton Sturgeon placed 2nd at Area and qualified for the State Woodland contest at Stephen F. Austin State University on April 17. In this event, students diagnose forest disorders, manage forests and forest inventory and apply approved silviculture practices.

In Agronomy, the team of Jay’cee Alvarez, Emily Miklos, Emilia Santiago, and Mary Beth Snyder will compete at State on May 2-3 at Texas Tech University. Teams of four students in this event evaluate a agronomic scenario and develop a crop management plan that includes crop selection, production, problem-solving and marketing. Individually, the team members also complete an agronomic knowledge

exam, identify and analyze plant and soil types, evaluate commodity quality, demonstrate pest management and equipment knowledge, and discuss an agronomic issue important to crop production.

Additionally, three MPHS FFA members were recognized as High Point Individuals at the Area 6 FFA contest including Rebecca Dunn (Livestock 5th place), Gunner Rodgers (Livestock 9th place), and Michelle Ramirez Nursery/Landscape 10th place).

CDE events build on what is learned in agricultural classes and encourage members to put their knowledge into practice. These events are designed to help a member prepare for a career in agriculture by testing and challenging the student’s technical, leadership, interpersonal and teamwork skills as well as their knowledge of the subject matter. MPHS FFA advisors are Susie Hearron, Blake Denson, Nicholaus Riecke, and Rance White.

Photos:

1: The Nursery/Landscape team (L to R) Michelle Ramirez, Xitlaly Sanchez, Jeseth Monreal, and Samuel Chappell

2: The Livestock team (L to R) Rebecca Dunn, Bowdrie Priefert, Emily Miklos, and Gunner Rodgers

3: The Forestry team (L to R) Jonathan Dalby, Coleton Sturgeon, and Lelo Santiago

4: The Agronomy team (L to R) Jay’cee Alvarez, Emily Miklos, Mary Beth Snyder, and Emilia Santiago

5: High Point Indiduals (L to R) Gunner Rodgers, Michelle Ramirez, and Rebecca Dunn