Lampasas, Lometa FFA teams take top honors in district leadership contest

PHOTO BY CHERI JAY-WIENECKE After placing second in district last week, the Ag Issues Team from Lometa will compete in the Area VII contest in Seguin Wednesday. Team members include, from left, Josh Logsdon, James Logsdon and Jessica Brooks.

Lampasas County FFA chapters dominated the competition at the 15-school San Saba District Leadership Development Event competition at Lampasas High School last Monday.

Both Lampasas FFA and Lometa FFA took sweepstakes honors at the contest; Lampasas taking the large-school division, and Lometa winning the small-school classification.

The sweepstakes honor, a first in several years for Lampasas, is a source of pride for the Lampasas FFA. "I am very proud of all our kids and their efforts and successes. We bannered in every competition but two. This was the first Sweepstakes Award we have garnered in a long, long time," said Dr. Steve Forsythe, Lampasas agricultural science instructor and FFA adviser.

With his chapter finishing at the top of the small-school division, a relatively new designation for schools with only one agricultural science teacher, Lometa FFA Adviser Brad Barnett sees the sweepstakes win as a new beginning for Lometa.

"Lometa has a proud FFA tradition that has been dormant for a few years. With this win, we are sending notice that this tradition will continue with a renewed ferocity," Barnett said.

This was the first contest for Lometa with Barnett at its helm. In his first year with the Lometa FFA, the new ag teacher said the tremendous effort put forth by the Lometa FFA Chapter is demonstrative of the dedication his students exhibit.

"I am really proud of these young men and women. Not only did they win the small-school division, they were second overall; behind the large-school winner by only a few points."

Leadership competitions have long been a strong suit of most successful agricultural education and FFA programs.

"Leadership Development Events are the backbone of the FFA. Teaching young men and women the dignity and joy of competing, and at times, the disappointments of effort but falling a little short, are an integral part of life," said Forsythe.

"These leadership skills will benefit them for life," he added.

First- and second-placing teams and individuals qualify for the Area VII contest slated Wednesday in Seguin.

District results follow. Greenhand Chapter Conducting: 1. Lampasas: Kirby Kennedy, Blaire Stoneham, Javier Renteria, Jennifer Hilla, Drew Anderson, Kyle Austin, Rachael Price, Francisco Cadengo, Kline Elder and August Oestreich; 3. Lometa: Kylie Bradley, Cassidy Wienecke, Hannah Purser, Colt Maldonado, Marcy Garcia, Josepha Romero and Mary Alice Rangel.

Chapter Conducting: 4. Lampasas: Sara Jackson, Reese Vann, Kelsi Ray, Mariah Jones, Brook Buttler, James Lansford and Shannon Lucas.

Greenhand FFA Skills: 1. Lometa: Lucas Kemp, James Reyna, Dalton Parsons and Sam Holley.

Chapter FFA Skills: 1. Lampasas: Colton Baker, Josh Biggs and Tate Stoneham; 4. Lometa: Jasmine Vandergriff, Christina Whisenhunt and Colt D'Spain.

Agricultural Issues Forum: 2. Lometa: Jessica Brooks, Josh Logsdon and James Logsdon.

Public Relations: 1. Lampasas: Jessica Sterling, Jordan Cantrell, Kelsi Ray and Sara Jackson. 3. Lometa: Alexis Ivey, Cheyenne Burr and Mandy Rubio.

Senior FFA Quiz: 3. Lampasas: Samantha Sparger, Josh Thomas and Ashleigh O'Connell.

Greenhand FFA Quiz: 2. Lampasas: Javier Renteria, Francisco Cadengo, Drew Anderson and Kline Elder.; 5. Lometa: Brandon Lilly, Shawn Gardner and Ethan Saunders.

FFA Radio: 3. Lampasas: James Lansford, Brook Buttler and Meagan Jones; 4. Lometa: Cheyenne Burr, Skyler Sims and Alexis Ivey.

Job Interview: 1. Lampasas: Brandyl Brooks; 4. Lometa: Taylor Bradley.

Junior Creed Speaking: 1. Lometa: Cassidy Wienecke; 6. Lampasas: Kirby Kennedy.

Senior Creed Speaking: 2. Lampasas: Jeyde Kelly; 4. Lometa: Jessica Brooks.