Local Future Farmers of America members took home the lion’s share of honors during this spring’s state FFA convention.
Each year, Maine FFA provides a number of awards to recognize superior accomplishments by students. Awards may take the form of plaques, ribbons and/or cash. Most awards are based on events of the annual spring State FFA Convention, though other awards are also presented.
Local winners include the following.
Best FFA Spirit
This award is presented at the State FFA Convention to the chapter whose members best exemplify during the convention the leadership and values of the FFA, whether on campus or outside of regular events and competitions. This year’s winner is Ashland District School.
Adviser of the Year
Jeannie Fox, adviser of Fort Fairfield’s FFA chapter, was presented the Chapter Adviser of the Year Award. The recognition is given to a stellar chapter adviser upon nomination by their home chapter and selection by state FFA officer review committee.
State FFA Degree
This recognition is presented annually to those student FFA members who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to and accomplishments in the Maine FFA Association, and who have completed required application. Winners, from Ashland, Cassandra Bolstridge, Marissa Chasse, Caitlin Paradis and Laura Sturgeon. From Mars Hill, Sean Brock, Zachary Chandler, Natasha Klinger and Dayna McCrum, From Easton, Jordan Doody, Jason Gurley and Zachary Lamoreau.
State Stars
This award is based on superior accomplishments by students with advanced outside-of-the-classroom activities related to agriculture and natural resources. Winners at the state level receive $300 and the chance to proceed to national competition.
Winners included, in agribusiness: Cassandra Bolstridge, Ashland; agricultural placement: Tyler Raymond, Caribou; agriscience: Alex Gillis, Ashland; farmer: Zackary Grass, Mars Hill; honorary mention in agricultural placement: Sophie Theriault, Ashland; and honorary mention for farmer, Garrett Graham, Ashland.
Proficiency Award
Monetary and honorary awards are based on student accomplishments outside of the classroom in an area related to agriculture and natural resources.
Students compete in their area of placement (where work is done as an employee) or entrepreneurship (where the student initiates and oversees their own activity). Candidates must complete extensive applications documenting their goals, progress, hours and earnings (if any). Winners receive a check for $250 and proceed to the national level for further competition.
Local proficiency winners included, from Ashland, agricultural mechanics repair and maintenance, Micayla Driscoll; agricultural processing, Cassandra Bolstridge; agricultural sales – placement, Sophie Theriault; diversified agricultural production, Garrett Graham; and outdoor recreation, Alex Gillis. From Mars Hill, Zackary Grass won in vegetable production – entrepreneurship, while Whitnie Bradbury earned honorary mention in agricultural processing. Tyler Raymond of Caribou won in landscape management.
Outstanding Chapter Officer
Carter Mazerolle of Easton was presented this award for his outstanding service.
Guerrette Scholarship
The winner of the Ronald P. Guerrette Scholarship was Zackary Grass of Mars Hill.
Tractor Supply Scholarships
Awarded the Tractor Supply Company “Growing Scholars Program” Scholarships were Whitnie Bradbury of Mars Hill and Tyler Raymond, Caribou.
Leadership Conference
The Washington Leadership Conference Scholarship is a monetary award supporting registration expenses to attend the annual one-week student leadership training outside of Washington, D.C. This requires student FFA member application approved by local chapter adviser. Winners were Clark Bradbury, Keara McCrum and Isabelle Wright, all of Mars Hill; Alexis McClean of Caribou; and Jordan Doody of Easton.
Career Development Events
Competitions conducted at the State FFA Convention and based on individual and/or team performance in areas related to agriculture and natural resources.
In Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems: first place team, Central Aroostook High School, Mars Hill; third, Presque Isle High School. First place individual, Zackary Grass, Mars Hill; second: Clark Bradbury and Colby Kingsbury, Mars Hill; fourth, Jeff Thibodeau, Presque Isle; fifth, Lane Grass, Mars Hill; and sixth, Tristen Woodworth, Presque Isle.
Welding: third place, Zackary Grass, Mars Hill; fourth, Jeff Thibodeau, Presque Isle; fifth, Tristen Woodworth, Presque Isle; and sixth, Carter Mazerolle, Easton.
Agricultural Sales: first place team, Ashland District School. First place individual, Megan Stanton, second, Brittney Darter and Emma Sessoms, and third, Whitney Page, all of Ashland.
Creed Speaking: first place speaker, Isabelle Wright, Mars Hill; second, Kaley Norsworthy, Fort Fairfield; third, Kailee McKenney, Presque Isle; fourth, Brittany Jones, Ashland; fifth, Micayla Driscoll, Ashland; and sixth, Brooke Robinson, Ashland.
Dairy Cattle Evaluation: first place team, Presque Isle, second place team, Ashland District School; and third place team, Central Aroostook High School. Second place individual, Brooke Chase, third, Sofia Crouse, and fourth, Devin Grant, all of Presque Isle; and sixth, Natasha Klinger, Mars Hill.
Discussion Meet (sponsored by Maine Farm Bureau): first place speaker, Alex Gillis, second, Brandon Dorr, both of Ashland; third, Alyssa Poitras, Fort Fairfield; fourth, Whitney Page, and fifth, Emma Sessoms, both of Ashland.
Environment and Natural Resources Management: second place team, Ashland District School; third place team, Fort Fairfield High School.
Extemporaneous Public Speaking: first place, Brandon Dorr, second, Brooke Robinson, third, Garrett Graham, all of Ashland; fourth, Alyssa Poitras, Fort Fairfield; and fifth, Carly Fredericks, Ashland.
Farm Business Management: first place team, Fort Fairfield High School; second, Central Aroostook High School; and third, Easton High School. First place individual, Hannah Holbrook, Fort Fairfield; second, Zackary Grass, Mars Hill and Noah Margeson, Caribou; third, Brennen Griffeth, Fort Fairfield and Colby Kingsbury, Mars Hill; fourth, Kayla Antworth, Presque Isle; fifth, John Anderson, and sixth, Michael Brown and Carter Mazerolle, all of Easton.
Floriculture: first place team, Fort Fairfield High School; second, Presque Isle High School; and third, Ashland District School. Second place individual, Brooke Chase, Presque Isle; third, MyKenzie Poitras, Fort Fairfield; fifth, Hannah Holbrook, Fort Fairfield and Devin Grant, Presque Isle; and sixth, Kaley Norsworthy, Fort Fairfield, Gwendolyn Parsons, Mars Hill and Kayla Antworth, Presque Isle.
Forestry: second place team, Ashland District School; third, Mars Hill. Fifth place individual, Alex Gillis, Ashland.
Horse Evaluation: first place team, Central Aroostook High School; third place team, Ashland District School. First place individual, Sydney Curtis, second, Marissa Chasse, both of Ashland; third, Gwen Parsons, Mars Hill and Brooke Chase, Presque Isle; fourth, Brittney Darter, Ashland; and sixth, Keara McCrum, Mars Hill.
Job Interview: first place speaker, Marissa Chasse, second, Caitlin Paradis and third, Cassandra Bolstridge, all of Ashland; fourth, Isabelle Wright, Mars Hill; and fifth, Carly Fredericks, Ashland.
Nursery and Landscape Management: third place individual, MyKenzie Poitras, Fort Fairfield.
Prepared Public Speaking: first place, Brandon Dorr, and second, Brooke Robinson, both of Ashland; and third, Hannah Holbrook, Fort Fairfield.
Prepared Speaking Skills: first place speaker, Courtney Jimmo, Ashland.
Safe Tractor Driving: first place individual, Gavin Miller, and second, Lane Grass, both of Mars Hill; and third, Tristen Woodworth, Presque Isle.
