Colfax FFA team seventh at the National FFA convention

In May of 2019, five Colfax FFA members qualified for nationals by winning events during Washington FFA State Convention in Pullman. Cole Baerlocher was Washington's Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event winner and the Agricultural Sales team consisting of Gunnar Aune, Cotton Booker, Perry Imler and Cassidi Shindler also placed first. All members had the opportunity to represent Washington State FFA at the national level.

In Indianapolis, Ind., Baerlocher presented a speech on a "Farm to School Movement" where he discussed our nation's need to incorporate fresh, locally grown foods within school lunch programs. During his preparation for nationals, he presented and spoke at many entities around the area including the Colfax Rotary, Colfax School District School Board and he visited Oakesdale FFA during their "Taste Washington Day." Baerlocher received a silver ranking at nationals, advancing to the semi-final round, and was recognized as a top 16 individual in the nation for his event.

Colfax's Agricultural Sales team sold multiple herbicides and fungicides from Bayer Agrisciences as part of their event.

"Our process for competing consisted of a test based on sales techniques and knowledge, a team sales activity and an individual sales call with a group of judge," said Imler, a junior at Colfax.

After a three-day process, three members on the team received a gold ranking and the fourth member received a silver ranking.

"It was exciting not having our names called right away..." stated senior Booker who was the state's top ranked individual salesman last May. "We knew that the longer it took to say our names, the higher our rankings would be. It was a relief to learn that our efforts practicing three nights a week since school started paid off and we represented our community to the best of our ability."

When all scores were tabulated, the Agricultural Sales team received an overall gold ranking, placing seventh in the nation out of more than 40 teams. Aune placed third individually in the nation and was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a medallion. Aune was recognized for his efforts on the national stage at the general session Saturday, Nov. 2.

Competitors are awarded bronze, silver or gold rankings depending on how well the individual or team scores compared to others in an event.

As part of the trip, the FFA members also visited the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, Grand Ole Opry and Mammoth Caves National Park in Nashville; the Muhammad Ali Museum and Louisville Slugger Museum in Louisville, and attended a concert and Indiana Pacers basketball game while in Indianapolis.