The Fort Frye FFA chapter’s Food Science team participated in the District 10 contest on Jan. 13 at Athens High School.

The team consisted of Kallie Boley, Jaden Cox, Christy Willis, Brooke Stottsberry, and Reiley Miller. The girls developed innovative on-the-go noodles products based on specific requirements, analyzed food safety images, answered machinery-related questions, completed math challenges, tackled a food triangle activity, and identified five aromas. We are thrilled to announce that this team placed 3rd in the District!

The chapter also had a Tractor Troubleshooting team, consisting of members Parker Kern and Ty Worthington. These members diagnosed and solved a problem on five different pieces of equipment with a 20 minute time limit. In addition, the members must explain the problem and how they went about fixing it, while following safety procedures. We are proud to announce these boys placed 4th in the District. Eighth graders Levi Wagner and Owen Duskey went along for the day to watch and learn.

The chapter had five outstanding public speakers this year. Member Levi Wagner participated in the FFA Creed contest. This contest consists of memorizing the five paragraphs of the creed and answering questions afterwards. Levi placed 10th in the District! Kallie Boley and Julia Silvus each participated in the Extemporaneous speaking contest. Each of them had to write a four to six minute speech in under 30 minutes on an agricultural topic they drew. Their speeches were then followed by questions. We are excited to announce that Kallie placed 4th in the District and Julia is a state qualifier, placing 2nd in the District! Member Alyssa White participated in the Beginning Prepared contest. She gave a five to seven minute memorized speech on Agri Voltaics and then answered questions. Alyssa placed 4th in the District! Lastly, Alexis White participated in the Advanced Prepared contest. Alexis gave a six to eight minute memorized speech on the impacts of Ohio’s drought on agriculture and answered questions. We are proud to announce she placed 2nd in the District and moved onto the State competition. Julia and Alexis competed in the state competition on Saturday, March 1. For the first time in over a decade both Alexis and Julia advanced to the State Finals, with Alexis placing 4th overall in the State and Julia placing 3rd overall in the state! Way to go, Cadets!

Finally, for the first time, the chapter had an Agricultural Communications team. This team consisted of Reiley Miller, Kallie Boley, Hannah Weiker, and Parker Burris. The team placed 7th in the State on the online exam and got the privilege to compete in the State Ag Communications Career Development event hosted at OSU on Feb. 8. The team created a full communication plan to promote the incredible opportunities at OSU for space and agriculture. Their plan included a broadcast video, feature story, magazine layout, and social media plan, all highlighting the connection between Ag and space that many don’t realize. We are extremely excited to share that this team placed 5th in the State and is bringing home their first State banner in this contest! We are proud of you all for taking a step out of your comfort zone to try something new.