Whether the competition dealt with metalworking, plants or speaking, the Polk County High School FFA Chapter made a strong statement recently at the Western Regional FFA Competition.

As agriculture instructor Kevin Bailey states, “We did not come home with a couple plaques or trophies, we came home with boxes of plaques and trophies.”

The Introductory Horticulture Team, sponsored by Big Frog and Gilbert Nurserys’ in Green Creek and made up of Alessandra Akers, Tucker Brandt, Fernie Mondragon, Jessica Pullara (high overall score) and alternates Emily Antionio and Cheyenne Johnson, won first place for the second year in a row. The Floriculture Team, sponsored by Expressions Florist of Landrum and made up of Abigal Hall, Julia Murray, Melinda Morgan, Brittany Phipps and alternate Ashley Lynch, placed second and the Agriculture Mechanics Team, made up of Cameron Brown (who had a perfect WELD), Bryson Jones and Brad Van Duyne, sponsored by Ruff Logging of Sunny View, placed third.

In the speaking events, members, sponsored by the Polk County Farm Bureau, Will Arrowood placed second in Prepared Public Speaking, Alex Stott placed second in Extempraneous Public Speaking and Caley Modlin placed fifth in Creed Speaking. Candace Arrington shared her vocal talent as she placed fourth in the talent show.

The Horticulture, Floriculture and Agriculture Mechanics team qualified for state and will compete in the State Finals in Raleigh.

Agricultural education instructor Chauncey Barber said the program has had a great year and said, “We feel we have something special here at Polk County High School and Mr. Bailey and I are very thankful for these kids working hard and representing the Polk County FFA Chapter.”

The teams were coached by Kevin Bailey and Chauncey Barber, agricultural education instructors at Polk County High School.

To learn more about the FFA, visit www.ncffa.org or visit the Polk County High School website.

– article submitted by Chauncey Barber