Houston County High
School’s FFA team won first place in the 2012 Georgia State Dairy Cattle
Evaluation Career Development Event. The contest was held this month at Abraham
Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. The team will represent Georgia now at
the national competition this October.
The winning team members are advised by their agricultural education teacher,
Ronnie Thomas. The team consists of Jacob Bodien, Megan Douglass, Shayna Spivey
and Eileen Shone. Three of Houston County’s students also won the top three
individual slots. Eileen won State High Individual, followed by Shayna in
second place and Megan in third.
The team and Eileen each received a plaque, and both Eileen and Thomas
were presented a $100 cash award. In addition, the team received $2,000 travel
money to attend the National FFA Convention.
“Last year these students placed second at the contest,” commented
Thomas. “Two of the team members approached me immediately after the contest.
They asked if the team could meet each Wednesday morning at 6 before school to
practice. As a teacher, you cannot turn down a request like that. It was that
kind of dedication that made the difference. They are a very bright and
determined group! I have high expectations for the national contest.”
The Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event emphasizes skills in dairy
cattle selection and herd management and provides experience in the evaluation
of dairy cattle type, production records and dairy herd management.
Participants evaluate dairy animals and place by type, verbalize reasons for
their placing and take a written test.
HHJ News
