This group of FFA juniors from Hillsboro compete in many FFAcompetitions throughout the year. Back row, l to r: Kaitlin Perry, Allison Curbo, Grace Ann Gannon and Torii Kapelman. Front: Elizabeth Rosson and Katy Kimbrell.  — Photo by Mindy Poehl

Feb. 23, 2006 - During National FFA Week, Feb. 18-25, Hillsboro FFA students will be busy attending different livestock shows across Texas, as well as conducting on-going services and studies practiced by their organization.

In their livestock exhibits, Hillsboro FFA students are well rounded, having won many awards just this past year.

Bill Woody is one of two agriscience teachers at Hillsboro High School. He has been teaching at Hillsboro for 19 years, and it shows, as the students enjoy participating in his classes and have brought home many awards.

Two weeks ago, at the San Antonio Stock Show, FFA junior Elizabeth Rosson won Reserve Champion Heifer. And she won Grand Champion at the National Western Stock Show this past January.

“I’ve been showing since I was nine,” Rosson said. “I like being with the animals and it gives me something to do. I’m able to win scholarship money and meet new people.”

Her fellow classmates said that Rosson is at the top of her junior class at Hillsboro and will be valedictorian next year. She is also the district FFA officer and hopes to attend Baylor University upon graduation from high school.

Junior Jeremy Glenn makes ethanol alcohol, which will be his agriscience project at the state FFA Convention in July. — Photo by Mindy Poehl

Hillsboro FFA students also go to State to participate in Career Development Events (CDE’s) and Leadership Development Events (LDE’s).

A team of Rosson, Allison Curbo, and Grace Ann Gannon won 11th place in State this year in radio competition.

“Many of our students will be getting their State Lonestar FFA degree this year. It’s the highest degree you can get,” explained Woody. “All of our FFA students have a good shot at winning scholarships their senior year.”

Kaitlin Perry, and Gannon placed 8th in dairy product testing at State.

“They were only 20 points away from winning first place,” said Woody, “so they did a great job. Knowing that they did a good job is important for the kids.”

The Greenhand Quiz Team, that consisted of Johnny Moreno, Alyssa Lang, Tyler Neal and Falyn Woodard, placed 2nd in area and 9th in state.

The Greenhand Chapter Conducting Team placed 8th in state in the FFA Leadership Contest. That team consisted of James Charles, Nancy Gannon, Spenser Kaddatz, Jillian Merkell, Tyler Bowman, James Benson and Diane Nowlin.

Clinton Rogers received the American FFA degree at the National FFA Convention.

“We’re preparing for CDE’s at Tarleton, Texas A&M, Sam Houston and SFA,” Woody said. “Each year we have several teams place in the top ten in the State FFA CDE.”

Heather Helton, who is a senior, is president of her FFA Chapter. Helton applied for the Ford Scholarship and will attend Texas A&M University in the fall. She plans on being a pre-K teacher.

The Hillsboro FFA students are also involved with the “Adopt a Highway Program,” in which they keep their part of the road cleaned up.

As they continue to attend district, state and national shows, Hillsboro FFA students are bound to keep bringing home the gold.