Jefferson County FFA students participate in state competition

Jefferson High School FFA Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE Team members Brady Marnoch, Hunter Ours, Brant Hamrick and Matthew Dixon show off their first place plaque. Courtesy photo
JEFFERSON COUNTY — In December, students from Jefferson County traveled to West Virginia University for the West Virginia State FFA Winter Career Developments competition.
Students who participated in the competition were from Charles Town Middle School, Harpers Ferry Middle School, Shepherdstown Middle School, Jefferson High School and Washington High School.
The Jefferson High School FFA Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE Team earned top honors and will represent the state at the national contest later this year. Hunter Ours and Brady Marnoch were two of the members of the team. Ours received second place overall in the competition, while Marnoch was awarded third.
“Last year’s team won the competition, so we had big shoes to fill,” Ours said. “It meant a lot to us.”
“We get to keep working together as a team as we train for nationals,” Marnoch said.
The national contest takes place in Indianapolis, Ind., in October.
Washington High School also had many successful students, including Aiden Fisher, who placed first individually in the Agriculture Technology and Mechanics Systems CDE, and Madison Roggenkamp, who placed second individually in the Farm Business Management CDE. Her team also got second in the competition.
“I’m really competitive, so I really enjoy being a part of the competition,” Roggenkamp said. “I also like getting to know other FFA members during the trip. We are also getting real-life experience in different fields that can help us in our future careers.”
“I was a part of the competition last year, but I’ve been involved in welding all my life,” Fisher said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn more and hang out with friends at the same time.”
Washington’s Floriculture CDE Team finished fifth in its competition, with two students — Chloe Constantino and Julie Fincham — placing in the top 20. This year was Fincham’s first time participating in FFA.
“Last year, I was really interested in FFA and wanted to get involved,” Fincham said. “I was interested in working with florists and was able to work with a local florist, which was really cool.”
“There were 20 teams competing, so just to get in the top five is a huge accomplishment,” said Katlin Grantham, Washington High School’s FFA advisor. “It’s a pretty big deal. This was probably one of the most successful years the county has had. Jefferson County should be very proud.”