The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG-On Wednesday, April 19, Waitsburg FFA competed at a local district contest in Dayton. Jessika Lambert, William Daves, Marion Duncan, Alyssa Hollingsworth, Cedar Stegall, and Sarah Daves placed first in Vet Science. Individually, Hollingsworth placed ninth overall, W. Daves placed eighth, Duncan placed fourth, and Stegall placed third. They will compete at the State FFA Convention in May.

First-year members participated in a Career Development Event (CDE), taking a comprehensive exam on FFA and the agriculture industry and a group problem-solving challenge. Participants learn what it takes to serve as leaders, in their chapter and after. The Waitsburg team of Karissa Potts, Kaya Mings, Sara Wilson, and Reagan Milliman placed fourth and will compete at the State Convention. Gavin Bone, Connor Goulett, Ryan Meier, Teegan Kenney, and Sarah Daves also competed as a team for Waitsburg.

On Friday, April 21, the Waitsburg FFA Trap Team traveled with advisor Nicole Abel to East Wenatchee for the State Trap Shoot. The members played in two shooting games: Annie and Chipper. Garrett Palmer placed second overall in Chipper and received a plaque.  Trace Nesje placed seventh.

On Saturday, April 22, the Trap Team returned to the Wenatchee Gun Club, shooting four twenty-five shot rounds. Palmer, Nesje, Abbi Paolino, Preston Hinchliffe, William Daves, and Akayden Mikesell competed against 38 five-member teams vying to be in the top five to receive a plaque. The event started at 8:30 am and finished around 5:00 pm. Results were not posted before Waitsburg FFA's departure. 

The Ag Science Fair was held in Puyallup at the Washington State Spring Fair on Saturday, April 20. Waitsburg's Ag student teacher, Alyssa Drader, took seven freshmen to compete in the following categories:

"The Effects of Temperature on Lima Bean Germination" presented by Karissa Potts. Kaya Mings assisted with research before the event.

"The Effects of Water Types on Bean Germination" presented by Hope Adkins and Bea Karl. The duo placed second and will be recognized at the State Convention.

"The Effects of Different Soil Types on the Germination of Pinto Beans" presented by Reagan Milliman and Sara Wilson.

"The Effects of Red Bull on Phaseolus Lunatus Germination Rate" earned a third-place finish for Connor Goulett and Gavin Bone, who will be recognized at the State Convention.