Each spring, FFA students compete in a variety of career and leadership development events, commonly known as CDEs and LDEs. This year, Housatonic Valley FFA had over forty students compete across ten different events, demonstrating their knowledge and dedication to the agricultural area of their choice.
On March 24, two Mechanics teams each consisting of 4 students traveled to Cobleskill College to show their understanding of equipment mechanics. Housatonic’s A team took first place in the state, led by senior Hayden Bell who was the competition’s top ranking individual.
Eight weeks later on May 15, six teams traveled to University of Connecticut with one securing first place. Students had a great time showing their skills within their designated areas which included agricultural sales, veterinary science, dairy judging, natural resources, farm businesses management and the winning agricultural communications team led by freshman Olivia Simonds who placed second in the state individually.
The agricultural sales team, which has been vigorously preparing for their competition for months, just fell short of the win taking home second as a team. Member Riley Mahaffey led her team in points. “Being so close to winning felt so rewarding knowing we gave it our all and were so close,” Mahaffey said. “It made me want to continue growing in that area.”
On Saturday, May 30, eight students competed in the opening and closing ceremonies CDE along with two individuals, Hayden Bell and Christopher Crane, competing in prepared public speaking and Byron Bell competing in extemporaneous public speaking.
The opening and closing ceremonies team and Crane each took home first place and will join the ag communications and mechanics teams at national convention next fall. “Hearing my name called as first place made all of the practice, stress and anticipation worth it,” Crane said.
Housatonic’s FFA chapter president Riley Mahaffey praised the chapter for its students’ dedication. “Seeing so many kids involved in various activities this year has shown the true strength and capacity of our chapter,” he said.
