Hubbard FFA offers something for everyone

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

The kids in Monte Blackburn's FFA class at Hubbard High School try to fix the door of the FFA truck. Blackburn is the FFA advisor for the Hubbard school. Emil Dudic, a junior, takes center stage as the students watch him try to fix the door. Photo by Mindy Poehl

Feb. 24, 2005 - Monte Blackburn is the FFA Advisor at Hubbard High School, a school of only 145 students. Hubbard FFA is in the Whitney District and is designated as Area 8, out of 10 areas across Texas.

"We just finished our stock show," Blackburn said. "And we're in stiff competition."

Hubbard has already attended the County Stock Show, Ft. Worth Stock Show and the San Antonio Stock Show this year.

"We brought back $15,000 in our auction from the county show," Blackburn said. "All of that money goes back to the kids, so they can put it towards their college education or buying their next project. It was a successful show. To come home with money in our pockets means it was a success."

Hubbard offers different FFA classes, such as Ag Power Machines, Intro to Ag Mechanics, Ag Mechanics, Ag Metal Fabrication, Ag Science and Technology, Wildlife, Animal Science, Advanced Animal Science, Personal Skill Development, Ag Home Maintenance and Plant and Soil Science.

"Last year we restored a tractor and rebuilt its engine," Blackburn said. "This year, we will build a tractor and make signs to put up as you enter Hubbard."

Two outstanding Hubbard FFA students are sophomore Audri Muirhead and senior Kayla Cargile. Muirhead joined the FFA last year.

"I'm not originally from here. We didn't have FFA at my old school," she said. "Once I came here, I wanted to join. I've always been country."

Muirhead and Cargile both attended the State Convention in Fort Worth as voting delegates. Muirhead will run for district or area office this year. She raises pigs and goats and is a member of the Dairy team. She was also a voting delegate at the Area Convention and is involved with Creed Speaking.

Muirhead is not only active in FFA, but she also participates in the drill team, volleyball, basketball, tennis, cross country, Youth Leadership Community at her church, student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and 4-H shooting sports.

Cargile, who has been involved with FFA since the 3rd grade, is officer for Hubbard FFA, a member of the Leadership team and Radio team. She also shows heifers and pigs. Cargile placed 2nd at the county show, 8th in the San Antonio show and 10th in her class at the Fort Worth show with her March/April Simmental calf of 2003.

"I got involved with FFA because I thought it was neat when I was little. My brother was involved with it, " Cargile said. "The first thing I had was rabbits, and I thought it was the neatest thing. We also raised chickens."

When Cargile was in 4th and 5th grade, she won Supreme heifer at the Houston Livestock Show.

"That's a big thing, especially two years in a row," Cargile said. "It's (showing) always been fun. I've grown up with people who show at the cow shows and I have lots of friends I see at the shows. This involves long hours. You have to feed your animals every morning and every night. You have to make time for it, but it's fun and worth it."

Cargile also keeps busy with activities such as cheerleading, softball, tennis, golf, track, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, student council reporter, and a Youth Leadership Community at her church.

"Being a member of FFA can be hard on smaller schools because the kids are involved with everything. We often have to meet at weird times," Blackburn said. "But, the purpose is to enable kids to meet their abilities and fulfill their full potential."

Hubbard FFA will not celebrate FFA week because it falls on the same week as the TAKS test in Texas.

"We'll have a banquet in April," Blackburn reassured. "That's when we'll highlight what we've done."