Harmony FFA'ers gain state wins; projects going to national competition

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Sept. 16, 2004 - Three Harmony FFA'ers experimented their way to not only $1,000 scholarships during the 75th Annual Texas FFA Convention, but the chance to compete at the national FFA agriscience competition.

During the convention, held in Fort Worth in July, Harmony FFA'ers Sara Jeanes, Matt Way and Justin Argabright won first place awards.

Jeanes won the Division 1 (a solo effort) environmental science category. Her topic was a "dirty water project" and involved testing for fecal chloroform in the recreational area at an East Texas lake.

Her findings included "higher than normal numbers" and the "area was not safe for swimming." Jeanes reasoning for the higher numbers could be septic systems leaking into the lake.

Jeanes said she would continue to monitor the lake and would like to compete in Phase 2 of the competition next year.

Division 3 (a team effort) was won by Matt Way and Justin Argabright, and involved zoology agriscience.

Their project questioned, "Are steer growth implants cost effective and by using them do they make us money?"

"We used three different implants - Synovex S, Ralgro and Compudose - and then a control group. Each group had three steers," Agrabright cited.

The steers were weighed three times during a 70-day period.

Way explained their findings. "We got $30 more per head on the $2 implant versus the control group."

The three students, who are now sophomores, stated the competition was fun but a lot of work, and the work is not finished because more information has to be sent to for the national competition in October during the National FFA Convention.

"We learned how to do a research paper," declared the students.

The projects included a display board and project books, which had data and pictures.

One of the toughest parts of the competition was the 20-minute interview with professors from different Texas colleges.

"I let Matt handle that," said Argabright about their duo effort.

Way also "handled" another competition during the Texas FFA Convention. He won the Star Greenhand award, given to a first-year FFA student who has exemplified outstanding leadership qualities.

Recipients of the award must first represent their local chapter, then represent the district chapter, followed by area chapter and then the state chapter.

To qualify for these levels, a student must complete a resume‚ essays, application, picture documentation, and interviews at each level.

With this win, Way will compete for the National Star Greenhand award also held during the National FFA Convention in October.