Nothing beats getting recognition from your peers (or screams success!), no matter what it is or where it is. Just ask the members of Crest High School's Future Farmers of America chapter.

Recently, Matt Harris, Agriculture Teacher at Crest High School, said members of the Crest FFA chapter participated in the 94th North Carolina State FFA Convention recently at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Said Harris, "During convention activities, six students participated in the preliminary rounds of the State Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event (LDE)." Mr. Harris noted the Crest team was made up of members Mary Jane Buckner, Michael Callahan, Cheyenne Carpenter, Bella Farrington, Hannah Hoyle, Maddy Russell and Euzelia Jackson.

Additionally, he also noted student Arlie Smith participated in the preliminary round of the State Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event.

"Both of these events helped develop skills of our future leaders in conducting business and leading various organizations," noted Mr. Harris.

Harris said, via email, Crest FFA members Carter Bryant, Michael Callahan, Michael Ellis, and Cole Hicks participated in the 'Gator Wars' event where students solve problems and troubleshoot mechanical issues related to agricultural equipment. He noted the event "...is designed to help expose students to careers in the field of agricultural and mechanical engineering."

He continued, "Carter Bryant, Casen Freeman, Cole Hicks, and Lance Jones participated in the C.V. Tart Agricultural Tools and Materials Career Development Event (CDE). The team placed 8th in the state out of a strong field of 59 teams. (Carter) Bryant was recognized as the third-place high scorer in the state with his individual score."

Harris said the Milk Quality Career Development Event (of the FFA event) involves learning quality control measures in the dairy and food science industry.

"The Milk Quality team placed fifth in the state out of 67 teams," said Harris, adding, the team members were Cora Barbee, Kelsea Crawford, Savannah Garmon, and Laura Womack.

"Maddy Russell assisted by training with the team and served as an alternate for the event. This is the first time a team from Crest participated in this competition," said Mr. Harris. FFA members Cheyenne Carpenter and Hannah Hoyle also participated in the state Agriscience Fair event.

"This event," said Harris, "allows students to compete with other FFA members from across the state in conducting and completing a research project. Carpenter was recognized as a state winner in her division and advances to national competition later in the fall. Hannah Hoyle presented a team project completed along with team member Kendall Spurling. Their team project placed second in their respective division."

Harris also noted six Crest HS FFA members received their State FFA Degree in a special degree ceremony held at the convention. Mary Jane Buckner, Michael Callahan,

Bella Farrington, Faith Harris, Euzelia Jackson, and Arlie Smith were all recognized with the North Carolina State FFA Degree, the highest degree awarded at the state level, noted Harris.

Harris also noted that (student) Cheyenne Carpenter was recognized as a state winner in the Beef Production Proficiency Award area.

"Carpenter's proficiency award application details her work and involvement with her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project in the area of beef production," he said. "Her project will be evaluated on the national level later this summer."

The week ended, said Mr. Harris, with a highlighted event where Crest FFA President, Euzelia "Zelee" Jackson, was elected and installed as a North Carolina State FFA Vice President.

Jackson is only the 5th student in the 57-year history of Crest High School to have been selected as a state officer, said Harris. Her term of service will allow her to travel across the state and at the national level to represent the North Carolina FFA Association and its members.

Zelee's parents are Andy and Ginger Jackson from Mooresboro. Zelee will attend North Carolina State University in the fall majoring in Agricultural Education, Harris noted.

North Carolina FFA is a youth organization of over 30,000 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture with 355 local chapters across the state.

For those wishing to know more about FFA at Crest, contact Mr. Matt Harris, Agriculture Teacher, Crest High School via email at:
mharris@clevelandcountyschools.org or by calling (704) 476-8331, school extension 3529, or visit www.ncffa.org for more information.