Maple Mountain High School FFA attends Utah State Convention

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 20:30

On March 9 - 11, 22 Maple Mountain FFA members attended the Utah State FFA Convention. Many members participated in contest and proficiency awards and were very successful.

Taylor Johnson and Ciara Moosman placed third in the Agriscience Fair Division 4 food science category. Johnson and Moosman’s project entitled, “The Big Thaw,” contained research about the proper ways to defrost meat. They tested the bacteria growth with each method such as microwaving, countertop thawing, cool water and in the refrigerator.  Johnson and Moosman found that microwaving was the safest way and had the least bacteria growth.

Jessica Bills received her State FFA Degree and also participated in the Job Interview competition. Participants in the Job Interview CDE submit a resume, complete job applications and participate in mock job interviews via telephone, and one-on-one and with a panel of possible employers. To receive the State FFA degree, members must meet the following qualifications:  received their Chapter Degree, be an active FFA member for at least 24 months, manage a SAE project and have satisfactory academics.

Kinsey Williams placed 2nd in Agriculture Services Proficiency with her record book on working at the Producer’s Livestock feedlot. Agricultural Services involves students who work in services offered through agricultural enterprises that deal with custom equipment operation and maintenance, agricultural management and finance, animal breeding, custom baling, crop scouting, horseshoeing, taxidermy, animal hospitals, custom and contract feeding or other appropriate services.

Shania Steele placed 2nd in the Floriculture Proficiency category from working at Sunroc in the garden center. Floriculture involves the use of the best management practices available to produce and market efficiently fresh and dried field or greenhouse flowers, foliage and related plant materials, including the arranging, packaging and marketing of these materials for ornamental purposes.

Maple Mountain’s FFA chapter received the Superior Chapter Award.  Chapters that complete and document at least 15 activities will receive a State Superior Chapter Award certificate from their state FFA association.

During the convention FFA members from around the state watched sessions presented by the State FFA Officer team which contained award ceremonies, motivational speakers, and retiring addresses from the resigning members of the Utah State Officer team. Members had the chance to attend a dance open to all the FFA Chapters who attended the convention, this gave members the chance to mingle with members and get to know each other in a more casual atmosphere.

Attributions
By Kinsey Williams, MMHS FFA President, and Taylor Johnson, MMHS FFA Reporter