Colfax FFA wins State events

COLFAX –– Colfax FFA members attended the 93rd Washington FFA Convention and Expo May 11-13th in Kennewick, Wash., to compete and participate in leadership events. Multiple students have worked countless hours all year to better themselves as speakers, leaders and young agriculturists. This year, all members Colfax brought to convention had the opportunity to be recognized on stage at session.

Session one on Thursday night brought recognition to Colfax FFA members who competed in Career Development Events (CDE) contests prior to state convention. In November the Colfax FFA Soils and Land Evaluation team placed 2nd at the state contest, and had two top 10 individuals- Isabella (Izzy) Huntley who had a perfect score at the contest, and Drew VanTine. The state Potato Evaluation team was also recognized for their 4th place finish, seeing Harley Hennigar as the 6th high individual in the state.

Throughout Friday members competed in events such as Prepared Public Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Ag Communication and Farm Agribusiness Management. Harley Hennigar recited her prepared speech discussing the shortage of large animal veterinarians in American and the importance of veterinary retention and recruitment.

Session two saw the Ag Communication team consisting of Marchele McNeilly, Harley Hennigar, Derek Repp and JP Wigen place 5th in state; along with two Farm Agribusiness Management teams gaining recognition on stage. A team consisting of Cadence Monson, Delaney Imler, Ainslee Imler, Darin Repp and Izzy Huntley was awarded 8th place; and team two placed 7th in state consisting of Tanner Senter, Riley Hennigar, Hailey Vandenbark, Addison Watkins and Grace Jones. Additionally, Colfax's First Year Member team was announced as state champions. This is the first time Colfax FFA has won this event and the team comprised of Riley Hennigar, Izzy Huntley, Ainslee Imler, Hailey Vandenbark and Addison Watkins.

The final day of the 93rd convention holds two sessions where multiple Colfax FFA members were recognized. Session three acknowledged Derek Repp and Cadence Monson's earning of the Washington FFA State Degree. The State Degree is the highest degree awarded in Washington and links students' Supervised Agricultural Education projects that they accomplish throughout their time in a high school agriculture program with award pins they can display on their corduroy jackets. Also recognized in session three were state wining Proficiency Awards.

Colfax FFA has three state winning members this year; Harley Hennigar, Cadence Monson and Derek Repp. Their applications will be sent to the national level for competition. The session wrapped up awarding the state Citizenship Award contest, of which Hennigar and Monson were finalists. Monson heard her named called as the state winner, with Hennigar not far behind as the runner up!

Washington FFA's session four rounded out convention awarding students competing in the FFA Creed speaking event, Extemporaneous Speaking, and Agricultural Sales. To start off the night Karly Wigen placed 5th in state Extemporaneous Speaking after discussing the impacts of Covid-19 in the agriculture industry during the final round of her event. Izzy Huntley was deemed the 2nd place Creed speaker in the state after working daily reciting the Creed and answering questions pertaining to the FFA Creed and agriculture in preparation.

Agricultural Sales was the final award given out that Colfax competed in. Two Colfax teams competed in state and both did an exceptional job. Team two consisted of Riley Hennigar, Izzy Huntley, Tanner Senter and Addison Watkins. Colfax team one members were Cadence Monson, Derek Repp, Darin Repp and Karly Wigen. The 6th high individual award was called to the name of Karly Wigen, while the state high individual this year is Cadence Monson. Colfax's team one was awarded state champions, and will once again represent the state of Washington in the Agricultural Sales CDE at the national level during the 96th National FFA Convention November 1st-4th next fall. This is the fourth consecutive convention Colfax has won Agricultural Sales.

For additional information and images of teams/individuals visit the Colfax FFA Facebook page. Members would also like to take this opportunity the thank the community for supporting the Colfax FFA chapter and supporting fundraising events that members do throughout the year. Fundraising efforts will assist with travel to national convention this fall; along with other leadership opportunities members attend throughout the school year.