Southwestern Heights FFA
Hundreds of FFA members from all over the state of Kansas tested their agricultural knowledge at the 101st Kansas State FFA Career Development Events (CDEs).
Among them were five Southwestern Heights FFA members: Brooke Basham, Hannah Fieser, Cole Langhofer, Ella Leak, and Drezden Zimmerman. Each of them competed in three Career Development Events at the Riley County Fairgrounds and K-State Campus in Manhattan on May 5 and 6. Three of the five Southwestern Heights FFA members placed in the silver and bronze division as individuals.
In Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Brooke Basham placed 22nd out of 144 individuals to rank in the Silver Division as an individual. She was followed by Hannah Fieser who placed 49th out of 144 individuals to rank in the Bronze Division as an individual.
Together with Ella Leak and Drezden Zimmerman, they placed 29th out of 54 Dairy Cattle Evaluation Teams. In this career development event, students develop skills in dairy cattle selection and herd management, where participants evaluated the cattle’s physical characteristics, explain their various classes and analyze a herd record as a team.
Ella Leak placed 69th out of 139 individuals to rank in the Bronze Division as an individual for the Milk Quality and Products CDE followed by Cole Langhofer and Drezden Zimmerman who also judged on the Milk Quality and Products CDE Team for Southwestern Heights FFA.
Participants in the Milk Quality and Products Career Development Event (CDE) demonstrate their knowledge about the quality production, processing, distribution, promotion and marketing of milk and dairy foods.
In the Food Science CDE Ella Leak placed 42nd out of 205 individuals to rank in the Silver Division as an individual with Cole Langhofer and Drezden Zimmerman also competing on the Food Science Team for Southwestern Heights FFA. By exposing students to issues in food science and technology, students gain experience that prepares them for traditional and non-traditional careers.
Brooke Basham, Hannah Fieser, and Cole Langhofer competed in the Veterinary Science Career Development Event (CDE) where they worked as a team to demonstrate their technical competency with small and large animals by completing a written exam, critical-thinking scenario questions, identification and practicums.
Hannah Fieser and Brooke Basham each also competed in the Farm and Agribusiness Management Career Development Event (CDE) which helps students learn business skills and apply economic principles to agricultural businesses.
By competing, participants demonstrate their ability to analyze agricultural business management information, apply economic principles and concepts of business management, evaluate business management decisions and work as a team.
Congratulations to these students who represented the SWH FFA Chapter at the state level.
