Several FFA Students Receive Gold on District Proficiencies
February 16, 2010
On February 6th, advisors of the ten District 4 FFA chapters gathered at Crofton to evaluate proficiency applications submitted by FFA members. Bloomfield FFA members submitted 24 applications and came home with gold medals on 13 of them.
Ali Gieselman received 1st place gold in the area of Home and Community Development. The area focused on her community-improved activities such as maintaining the flowerbed north of the high school gym and redecorating the gym and hallways in the school. She also received 2nd place gold in Diversified Horticulture. Both are state qualifiers.
Lynndsy Hauger was named 2nd place gold winner in the area of Floriculture. Her project involved caring for several flowerbeds at her home. It also qualified to compete at state level. The past two years she has been a state finalist in this area and we are hoping to bring home a state winner this year.
Reed Fehringer applied in the area of Ag Mechanics – Maintenance and Repair. His proficiency was based on his work of summer employment at the school repairing and maintaining the facilities during summer break. He received 3rd place gold, which also qualifies to go to state.
Each summer we see Morgan Kauth mowing and caring for lawns all around town. This activity earned him a 3rd place gold in Turf Grass Management, which qualifies for state competition. Although the bulk of his time is spent mowing grass, he also trims, fertilizes and thatches lawns.
Hannah Seagren used her work experience at Country Market to submit a proficiency in the area of Ag Service. It focused on the skills she has developed serving the public while working at the store. Her state qualifying entry received a 3rd place gold.
Curtis Dather from the Niobrara section of our chapter received 3rd place gold in the area of Diversified Agriculture. Over the past 2 years, he has developed many skills performing a large portion of the farm work on their family farm while his father has been working for the state.
Tanner Schumacher earned a gold award for his skills he developed working on the family farm. Whitney Goeden also earned a gold in Home and Community Development for her work repainting the “welcome to Bloomfield sign” and work making improvements around the family farm. Unfortunately, there were 3 gold’s placed higher than each of them so their proficiencies will not move on to state competition.
Although they do not have as much scope and experience yet, four 10th graders qualified for state. Katelyn Fiedler received 2nd place gold for her skills developed training horses for herself, her family, and friends. Austin Hamm brought home a gold 2 medal for his work in assisting in the management and educational programs of the FFA corn test plot. Kyle Abbenhaus was a 3rd place gold recipient for her care of her cow/calf pair. Emmalea Johns received gold 3 recognition for her skills in care of the family vegetable garden, flower garden, and taking care of her aunt and parents lawns. All four of these are being forwarded to state competition.
Submitting proficiencies and receiving silvers were Wayne Bruegman, Jeff Bloomquist ( Wausa), Jacob Bathke (Niobrara), Becca Broders, Savannah Reynolds (Niobrara), and Clayton Hanzlik (Niobrara). Receiving bronze awards were, Dylan Wilson, David Bertschinger, Kortany Albrecht (Wausa), Alan Ruda (Niobrara) and Dustin Crosley (Niobrara).
State proficiencies will be judged to determine three finalists in each area on Feb 27.
Congratulations to applicants for their efforts and accomplishments and good luck in state competition!
