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Spotlight on Youth - Feb. 6, 2013
 
Miami East FFA competes in ag comm contest
CASSTOWN, Ohio — Recently, the Miami East FFA Agricultural Communications team competed in the District 5 competition. The team consisted of Kendra Beckman, Corrine Melvin and Rebekah Eidemiller. 

The team placed second out of six teams. Corrine Melvin placed first in the entire contest. Kendra Beckman placed third in the entire contest. Both girls receive a plaque sponsored by the District 5 FFA Chapters. 

During the contest the team presented a media plan on a farmers’ market. They also took an online general knowledge test on agricultural communications and an editing quiz on their knowledge of Associated Press style writing. 

The team will now advance to state competition in February where they will demonstrate their knowledge of agricultural communication. 

The Miami East Agricultural Education program is a satellite program of the Miami Valley Career Technology Center. 

American Angus seeks applicants to Leaders Institute
SAINT JOSEPH, Mo. — American Angus Assoc., members interested in becoming more effective leaders in the agriculture industry are encouraged to apply for the sixth annual Beef Leaders Institute (BLI). Held June 17 to 20, the program brings 20 Angus producers together in Saint Joseph, Mo., for a series of informative sessions.
Funded through the Angus Foundation, BLI is designed for Association members 25 to 45 years old to provide insight into the beef industry, while enhancing their knowledge of the Association and strengthening leadership skills.

During the three-day event, BLI participants are able to tour a beef harvesting and packing facility, retailer, fabricator, feedlots and other industry segments, including the Association. The Association provides transportation, lodging, meals and materials during BLI. Attendees will be responsible for round-trip transportation between their home and either Kansas City or Saint Joseph, Mo.
For more information on BLI or to download an application, visit the association website (www.angus.org). Applications for the 2013 program are due March 1.

Riverton Parke FFA Livestock team wins reserve in Denver
DENVER, Colo. — The Riverton Parke High School Livestock Judging team, of Montezuma, Ind., coached by Doug Edge and Adam Tyler, recently earned reserve national champion honors at the Western National Roundup contest in Denver on Jan. 12.

The annual competition was held as part of the 107th National Western Stock Show. Colorado State University, in Ft. Collins, hosted and officiated the competition.  

Because of the team’s achievement, Riverton Parke was issued an invitation to attend the International Livestock Judging Contest and Tour, hosted by the Scottish Young Farmers during the Royal Highlands Show in Edinburg, Scotland. The team will be working toward raising funds to represent the United States at that event, which will take place this June.

Team members are Cory Edge (a 2012 Riverton Parke graduate), juniors Matt Marion, Shelby Benell, and Kelly Dressler, and freshman Megan Marion. The students earned the right to represent Indiana at the national contest when they captured second place team in the Indiana State Judging Contest held in June. 

The Panthers team took second place among teams from across the country. The Illinois team won the contest by 10 points, while Riverton Parke defeated teams from Colorado, Texas, and Virginia to capture reserve champion honors.  

The Riverton Parke team placed second in placings, second in goats and sheep, fourth in swine and beef and fourth in oral reasons. Individually, Cory Edge placed third overall, Matt Marion, seventh, and Shelby Benell was eleventh. Edge and Marion both received $250 scholarships to Colorado State University.
 
The contest was comprised of 10 classes of livestock. Of these ten classes, four were beef, two were sheep, one was a goat class, and three were swine. All of the classes were comprised of four animals and provided to the contest by area producers. 

Performance data and situational statements were provided on Angus Heifers and Duroc gilts. Contestants had to present oral reasons on six of the classes to defend their evaluations.
Coach Edge, said “Achieving the honor of being reserve national champions would not have been possible without the help of those who have helped coach and support the team.

 Those assisting in their training have included former Riverton Parke Ag Teacher Josh Douglass and current Ag Teacher and Advisor Adam Tyler. A supportive school administration, parents and local business and farming community members have also contributed to building a successful livestock judging program at Riverton Parke.” 

“I am very proud of the kids in our program,” said Tyler. “We have a lot of talent, and to reach and earn an honor as they have is an amazing accomplishment.” 
2/7/2013