Locals claim high honors, ribbons at state farm show

BY DEBBIE WACHTER NEW CASTLE NEWS

As in years past, many Lawrence County high schoolers, other youths and local farmers returned home from the State Farm Show in Harrisburg with blue ribbons and trophies for their teams and livestock projects.

Despite freezing temperatures and at times, hazardous road conditions, the FFAs of Wilmington, Mohawk and Laurel High schools went to the state’s capital to participate in the demonstration team events and square dance competitions at the FFA Midwinter Convention that took place in the state farm show arena during the 102nd Pennsylvania Farm Show this year.

Local exhibitors also showed livestock and had other fair entries, and State Sen. Elder Vogel, who represents part of Lawrence County, also claimed a particularly high honor in one of the competitions.

Beginning with the FFA results, the local farm show entrants and winners from Lawrence County are as follows:

MOHAWK AREA FFA

Mohawk Area High School’s FFA demonstration team placed third in competition with its metal frame table with a tile top.

The square dance teams— the Mighty Mohawks and the Dancing Warriors — both earned blue ribbons.

Dylan Clark and Alleya Wagner received Keystone Farmer Degrees, and Clark also won the State Star Farming Award in agriculture production. According to his FFA adviser Cameron Schirmer, Clark’s project was beef steers, and he kept excellent records and had to interview to receive the award. He works on his family’s farm Old English Acres Farm in Enon Valley He will represent Pennsylvania FFA at the Big E (Eastern States Exposition) in Massachusetts in September.

FFA members Haylee Henry and Cassidy Lehman received their free FFA jackets at the show.

WILMINGTON FFA

The Demonstration team placed eighth, with its project called “Feed the Forest.” The members demonstrated how to make three different styles of deer feeders. The members were Ryan Swisher, Emily Withers, Henry Ochs and Carleigh Seeley.

The school’s two square dance teams both won blue ribbons this year, under the direction of FFA adviser Joanna McKelvey, and Dixie Wilson. The team members were Madison Reed, Kendra Ruth, Rylynn Seeley, Marissa Hoon, Christa Ealy, Mattie Horchler, Sara McConnell, Haili Wilson, Kaylee Vastano, Grace Fenati, Raymond Wagner, Ricky Telesz, Joe Venasco, Izaiah Haines, Mitchell Dess, Colton Huston, Trent Mahle, Brian Bogg, Morgan Whiting and Ashton Susan.

Scott and Gail Phillips received the Honorary Keystone and Special parent awards for having had four of their children receive Keystone Degrees through the years. Their son, Ty, received his degree this year.

Other Wilmington students who received their Keystone degrees this year were Sara McConnell, Marissa Hoon, Carleigh Seeley, Libby Hart, Maggie Behm , Kendra Ruth, Jenna Peoples, Brian Boggs, Clay Huston and Mikayla Schmoldt.

Students Colton Huston, Morgan Whiting, Rylynn Seeley and Morrigan McKinley received FFA jackets.

LAUREL FFA

Under the direction of FFA

SEE SHOW, B2

Wilmington Area FFA students demonstrate how to make deer feeders during the competition at the state farm show. From left are Ryan Swisher, Emily Withers, Henry Ochs and Carleigh Seeley.

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Dylan Clark, Mohawk Area FFA member, holds the plaque he received as winner of the FFA State Star Farming Award in agriculture production at the midwinter convention.

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Mattie Horchler of New Wilmington, winner of the Young Shepherd award, shows one of her lambs in the exhibition ring at the state farm show.

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Cassidy Lehman, left, and Haylee Henry hold the FFA jackets they received at the midwinter FFA convention.

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