The Van-Far FFA Nursery/Landscape Management Team consisting of Ennis Childs, Hunter Scrogin, Devyn Keller, Mara Jensen, and coached by Blaise Stuedle competed at the 95th National FFA Convention Career Development Event on Wednesday Oct. 26 in Indianapolis, Ind.
The Nursery/Landscape Management Career Development Event consists of nursery and landscaping plants identification, team skills activities, including surveying, grading and drainage, plant layout, and pruning. This event took place over two days. The first day was a vital component that was held at the beginning of October and the second day was the in person contest.
“The Van-Far FFA Nursery Landscape Team has been working diligently since last Spring for their final contest at National FFA Convention,” said agriculture education instructor, Rachael Bagnell. “This was where they placed second in the nation and Ennis Childs was the highest individual in the contest. This is incredibly exciting as it’s no easy task to accomplish. Stuedle coached Mara Jensen, Devon Keller, Ennis Childs, and Hunter Scrogin through this impressive accomplishment.
After the combination of the two days’ scores the winners were announced on Thursday Oct. 27. At the awards ceremony, all four Van-Far FFA members received a Gold Individual Rating (top 33%), a Gold Emblem Team Rating (top 33%), Ennis Childs was announced as a top 10 participant, and the team was announced as a top four team in the event.
Later that evening, team members were represented on stage and the following awards were announced: 2nd Team Overall in the Nation, and Ennis Childs was announced as first place Overall Individual.
“What a huge accomplishment from these four individuals!” said Stuedle, High School Principal.
“The Van-Far FFA, Van-Far R-I School District and Vandalia/Farber Communities are proud of the students’ accomplishments,” he added.