Crest FFA Teams Top Ten in the Nation

Members of the Poultry Evaluation team are Garette Acuff, Breanna Bonino, Emily Keener and Charlie Qualls. Both Bonino and Qualls were rated as gold metal individuals with Qualls receiving $400.00 in award money for a top 13 individual score. Newly Weds Foods, Inc., Tyson Foods, Inc. and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association sponsor the award money and the poultry event. The National FFA Poultry CDE is a competitive event that test participant’s ability to select top quality poultry and poultry products needed for successful production and marketing. Event participants must complete a written exam on poultry management, evaluate classes of live birds for egg and mat production, evaluate quality of eggs, and evaluate and identify parts and products. The team qualified in a state level event for the privilege of representing North Carolina at the national contest.

A final Crest team consisting of Casey Bright, Ashley Ellis and Ashley Ogren participated in the national FFA Agriculture Communications Career Development Event. The team was recognized as a bronze level team. The event, held at the JW Marriott and IUPUI in Indianapolis, tested students’ skills in all areas of the agricultural communications field and evaluated how well they can apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Participants attend a simulated news conference and use information gathered to complete individual practicums in writing, electronic media and design. Prior to the event, the team created a media plan and then presented a 15-minute presentation at the event based on their proposal. Team members also competed in an editing exercise and general communication quiz.

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization consisting of 649,355 students that are part of 7,859 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education. For more, visit FFA.org.