Imperial FFA junior team takes livestock judging title

    Imperial FFA’s junior livestock judging team took the championship at the Heart City Bull Bash in Valentine Feb. 10.
    Tessa Smith was first individual in the junior division, followed by Jayme Gittlein, third; Odessa Zadina, fourth; and Navy Havel, eighth.
    FFA Advisor Jason Speck also took a senior team to the contest that placed eighth overall. Team members included Abby Spicer, Peyton Owens, Myla Brown and Alex Johnson.
    On Monday this week, Imperial FFA had competitors in the district welding contest in Curtis.
    Westyn Mendenhall placed highest among Imperial FFA members with fourth place in Shielded Metal Arc Welding. Walker Mollendor was fifth and Jason Nelson, 19th, also in SMAW. There was no team score.  
    One district contest remains on the schedule before state on March 2 when teams will compete in ag sales, floriculture, meats, food science, livestock management and poultry.
    The Nebraska State FFA Convention is April 6-8 in Lincoln and will be an in-person event this year, after the past two conventions were held virtually due to COVID.
FFA Week underway
    National FFA Week is being observed this week with a number of activities at Chase County Schools.
    On Tuesday, FFA officers served breakfast to members, on Wednesday lunch was served to members and school administrators and“Wear a chapter T-shirt” was the theme for Thursday.
    On Friday, CCS’s parking lot will be filled with farm equipment as it’s “Drive Your Tractor to School” Day. FFA members will also “dress like a farmer” Friday.