Attala County FFA received five first place plaques last week at the Big Black Federation Contest in preparation for the state convention in June.
The competition at the Kosciusko- Attala Career and Technology Center featured FFA members from Louisville, Choctaw, Webster, Noxapater and Nanih Waiya. They competed in events including Tool ID, Tractor Driving/ Maintenance, Welding, Creed Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Prepared Public Speaking and Opening/Closing Ceremony.
Individual first place finishes included Kaelin Wright in the FFA creed, Hunter Hood in ninth grade creed, Jayla Gibson in prepared public speaking and Ty’Derrius Davis in extemporaneous speaking. The group of Mark Stewart, D’Mechriea Landfair, Jakeria Williams and Kendrioun Boatman won the tool identification competition, while the team of Kaelin Wright, Trey Johnson, Mark Stewart, Kristin Roby, D’Mechriea Landfair, Johnathan McMillian and Jakeria Williams finished second in senior opening and closing competition. Attala FFA did not compete in tractor driving or welding.
“This competition would not have been possible without dependable, impartial judges who were willing to invest their time to support our youth,” FFA director Kenneth Georgia said.
Tractor supervisors included Jeremy Grantham from Mississippi Ag, Auto Service Technology Instructor Gerald Simmons, Aubrey Johnson from John Deere and retired Mississippi Agricultural Programs State Supervisor Wilbur Chancellor. Tool I.D supervisors were Career Tech Instructors Bubba Hodges, Joy Trehern and Betty Bermond. Speaking event supervisors were MSU professor Dr. William Kingery, The Star-Herald editor Joseph Brown, KAP Intern Joneric Burrell and University of Memphis student Richard Sayles. Opening ceremony judges were Leake County FFA Advisor Byron Baily, former Attala FFA officer Hanna Dallas, University of Mississippi student Kendrick Pittman and former Attala FFA officer Mr. Robbie Thornton. Creed judges were Taylor Casey from MSU Extension, 2012 MS FFA State Creed Champion Allison Neyman and both James Rasberry and Weldon Kyle from the Attala Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Welding judges were metal fabrication instructor Trey Culpepper, Charlie Ables from Ivey Mechanical and Carquest owner Jay Price.
“The success of the event also hinged on the support of great sponsors,” Georgia added.
Tractors and implements were provided by Bermond Performance Horses, CTC Director Tony Holder and Stewart’s Pawn & Gun.
“We are also grateful to Sonic, Mc Donald’s, Country Cooking, Sunflower, Mr. Henry Daniel, Mr. Sharkey & the City of Kosciusko and the Attala County Coliseum staff,” Georgia said.
