Cashmere FFA shines at State Convention, earns spots at Nationals

CASHMERE - The Cashmere FFA Chapter is celebrating an impressive showing at the 2024 State FFA Spring Convention, with two teams earning the right to represent Washington at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this fall.

The Environmental Natural Resources (ENR) team clinched the State Championship on April 15, with Tony Bumgarner taking the individual State Champion title by a single point over teammate Ivette Alvarado. Aztlan Oropeza, Adi Poole, and Dina Shoengarth also placed in the top ten, contributing to the team's success.

Cashmere's Milk Quality team also secured their spot at Nationals, outscoring 35 other teams by a margin of over 170 points. Brianna Castro led the team as the individual State Champion, with Sophie Hill, Aztlan Oropeza, Anna Flick, and Lexi Lutton rounding out the winning squad.

The chapter's success extended beyond these two teams, with nine teams placing in the "Elite 8" and 21 students earning top ten individual finishes. Freshmen Kaelee Cox and Amelia Flick made their mark, placing 4th and 6th, respectively, in the Creed Speaking competition. The Freshman Novice Parliamentary Procedure Teams also had a strong showing, finishing 3rd and 7th in the State Finals.

Three Cashmere FFA seniors - Ivette Alvarado, Dru Heyen, and Kira Potter - were awarded their State FFA Degrees, a significant accomplishment requiring extensive involvement in agricultural education and leadership activities.

To support the National Teams, Cashmere FFA will host its Annual Prime Rib Dinner on Saturday, October 5. The community is invited to attend and celebrate the chapter's achievements while helping to fund its journey to the National FFA Convention.

With their outstanding performance at the State Convention, Cashmere FFA is poised for success on the national stage, showcasing the talent and dedication of their members and the strength of their agricultural education program.

State FFA Spring Results - 2024

1st - ENR(22/94): Tony Bumgarner - 1st, Ivette Alvarado - 2nd, Aztlan Oropeza - 5th, Adi Poole - 6th, Dina Shoengarth - 9th

1st - Milk Quality(36/165): Brianna Castro - 1st, Sophie Hill - 3rd, Aztlan Oropeza - 4th, Anna Flick - 5th, Lexi Lutton

2nd - ENR(22/94): Eliana Thomas - 3rd, Jesse Hall - 4th, Lucy Ray - 10th, Ella Kenoyer, Peighton Sadler

2nd - Food Science(35/158): Sophia Batanoiu - 3rd, Ally Kitchel - 7th, Seth Martin - 9th, Dayami Najar, Aleida Nolasco

2nd - Meats Evaluation(24/114): Sophie Hill - 2nd, Aztlan Oropeza - 5th, Jacob Holladay - 9th, Aleida Nolasco, Aubrey Potter, Anna Flick

3rd - Conduct of Chapters(26): Mackenzie Van Bogart, Autumn Todd, Logan Potter, Colton Stendera, Makenna Fritz, Aliza Cloakey

3rd - Meats Evaluation(24/114): Levi Strutzel - 10th, Paige Dart, Grace Smith, Jesse Hall

4th - Creed Speaking(36 at State): Kaelee Cox

6th - Creed Speaking(36 at State): Amelia Flick

6th - FARM for Kids(18): Sophia Batanoiu, Dayami Najar, Aleida Nolasco

7th - Conduct of Chapters(26): Gloria Smith, Addie Talley, Kate Croci, Ada Missal, Madisyn Stoffel, Zinaee Zaragoza

State FFA Degree Recipients:

Ivette Alvarado, Dru Heyen, Kira Potter

$1000+ Earned/Invested from FFA Project

$360+ Hours of Agricultural Education

Demonstrate 10 Procedures of Parliamentary Law

5 Different Activities above the Chapter Level