FFA teams continue on to state

The Lind-Ritzville FFA chapter hosted the District 9 contest at the Ritzville Grade School at the beginning of April and three Lind-Ritzville FFA teams earned the chance to advance to compete at the state level.

The chapter teams finished first in marketing, ag issues, and milk quality and products, and will be competing in state contest this weekend.

The marketing team consisted of members Maya Wahl, Tyler O’Brien and Sydney Nelson.

Ag issues team members presented about the issue of hunting wolves in the state of Washington. The ag issues team members are Caitlin Schoessler, Elizabeth Schofstoll, Soraida Chavez, Kate Schell and Katie Manke.

In the milk quality and products competition, team members Beau Jones, Grayson Whitaker, Bryden Laird and Dylan Bilodeaux secured a top finish to continue on to state. Jones finished with the second highest individual score, Whitaker had the third highest score, Laird was the fourth high individual and Bilodeaux earned the fifth highest score.

In the individual competition, Haley Oestreich earned a trip to state by finishing first in job interview. Also participating in the job interview competition were Mariah Kiel and Scott Diefenbach.

Washtucna FFA chapter brought two individuals to the district competition to participate in the job interview contest: Amber Dainty and Brittany Gordon. Dainty took home the second place finish in the individual competition.

The Lind-Ritzville FFA chapter has a variety of other teams that qualified earlier this year that are competing at the Washington State FFA Convention. The state convention runs from May 9-12 on the Washington State University campus in Pullman.

In the first year Greenhand contest, the Lind-Ritzville FFA is taking two teams. Team one members are Dane Wahl, Andrew Witt, Taylor Kulm and Dinah Gadberry. Members of the second team are Skyler Oestreich, Ryan Frederick, Alexis Guizar and Jacob Saetre.

The chapter’s parliamentary procedure team is also traveling to compete at state and team members are Taylor White, Brook Pichette, Amanda Yockey, Ashley Ambers, Haley Oestreich and Haley Campbell.

Two rituals teams are competing at the state level for the Lind-Ritzville FFA chapter as well. The team members for the first team are Andrew Witt, Peyton Kiel, Dylan Becker, Emmanuel Huitron, Nick Fleming and Dallas Killian. Team two members are Dane Wahl, Dinah Gadberry, Bryson Gering, Taylor Kulm, Wyatt Roettger and Ryan Frederick.

In the meat evaluations competition, Dylan Hartz, Scott Diefenbach, Colby Starring, Tyler Frederick, Cort Ruzicka and Johnny Carson will represent the Lind-Ritzville FFA chapter.

The final team earning a trip to the state competition is the farm business management team. Team members are Connor O’Neill, Bridger Smith, Trevor Jantz, Matt Leffel, Brian Campbell, Logan Morley, Ashley Ambers, Hugh Hennings, Jordan Schultz and Tyler Greenwalt.

Three individuals will also be competing in the creed-speaking contest. The freshmen reciting the creed are Holly Nygren, Hallie Jo Galbreath and Travis Ste. Marie.

Also at the state convention, Maya Wahl, Tyler Greenwalt and Scott Diefenbach are receiving their state degrees.

Diefenbach is also running for a state office, while Brandon Knodel is retiring from his position as Washington State FFA Sentinel.