On the heels of great success at recent Career Development Events (CDEs), Wessington Springs FFA members, alongside Wessington Springs High School Ag Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Teacher Brady Duxbury, take a moment before FFA State Convention to celebrate recent student achievements.
CDEs challenge members to develop real-world career skills, critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills during competition.
Over the past month, the local FFA Chapter has traveled across the region to compete with FFA members from other schools — and they have proven they are well-prepared to carry on the storied, hardware-winning legacy of the Wessington Springs FFA Chapter.
It’s no secret that Wessington Springs High School has earned the recognition of being one of the top FFA Chapters in the state over the last several decades — and based on this year’s success to date, that standing is firmly positioned to carry on.
Through Career Development Events (CDEs), FFA members are challenged to develop real-world career skills, critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement. CDE events occur at the local, state and national levels.
“We are off to a great start. This is already proven to be a fun year with some amazing young people,” said Brady Duxbury, Wessington Springs High School Ag Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Teacher. “Congratulations Wessington Springs FFA!”
Following is a recap of local student achievement in CDEs, along with comments from Duxbury, held across the region to date.
REDFIELD, MARCH 3
“The results are in and we had a great day at the Redfield CDEs. Below are all of the top 15 individuals and top five teams.”
Agronomy - 1st Team
Austin Schimke - 1st
Robbie Hine - 2nd
Landen Christensen - 3rd
Sam Poncelow
Meats Evaluation - 1st Team
Braydin LaBore - 2nd
Carter Gaikowski - 5th
Blake Larson - 10th
Ridge Roduner
Vet Science - 2nd Team
Riley Roduner - 1st
Avery Orth - 13th
Ella Fagerhaug - 14th
Remie Roduner
Addyson Orth
Ag Mechanics - 3rd Team
Carson Hainy - 4th
Kirstie Munsen - 9th
Garett Anson
Zephyr Lyon
Kordell Schafer
Floriculture - 4th Team
Mercedes Jones - 10th
Mackenzi Johanneson
Mariah Messmer
Alyssa Grohs
Individual top 15 finishes are below:
Harlee Heim - Livestock - 4th
Luke Larson - Poultry - 9th
Colton Michalek - Poultry - 11th
NORTHEWEST AREA, MARCH 14
"We went to Northwestern last month and came home with hardware. The list below is long because we were successful! Congratulations to all the students on their hard work. Keep it up, we have a lot more hardware to add to the collection yet.”
Agronomy - 1st
Landen Christensen - 1st
Robert Hine - 5th
Austin Schimke - 6th
Sam Poncelow
Meats Evaluation - 1st
Braydin LaBore - 1st
Carter Gaikowski - 2nd
Blake Larson - 3rd
Ridge Roduner
Floriculture - 1st
Mercedes Jones - 1st
Alyssa Grohs - 5th
Mariah Messmer - 15th
Mackenzi Johanneson
Vet Science - 2nd (Tied for first and lost the tie breaker)
Avery Orth - 3rd
Riley Roduner - 5th
Remie Roduner - 12th
Ella Fagerhaug - 13th
Addyson Orth
Poultry Evaluation - 2nd
Luke Larson - 5th
Ryder Michalek - 8th
Colton Michalek - 10th
Livestock Evaluation - 3rd
Carissa Scheel - 5th
Harlee Heim - 8th
Ranick Fjerstad
Dylan Raterman
Jacoby Baker
Ag Mechanics - 3rd
Garett Anson - 9th
Carson Hainy - 14th
Cayden Forrest
Kordell Schafer
Zephyr Lyon
Food Science - 3rd (Highest team presentation on the day)
Branden Flowers - 6th
Max Klein
Lucas Christensen
Peyton Walz
LENNOX, MARCH 20
“The Lennox CDE is the biggest one we have been to so far and we showed up in a big way. The students enjoyed lots of success and had an overall great day! Top 20 individuals and five teams are listed below:
Agronomy - 1st
Robbie Hine - 1st
Landen Christensen - 4th
Austin Schimke - 5th
Sam Poncelow
Meats - 1st
Carter Gaikowski - 1st
Blake Larson - 3rd
Braydin LaBore - 5th
Ridge Roduner
Horse Evaluation - 2nd (First time out this year)
Abigail Kolousek - 3rd
Raylee Fagerhaug - 5th
Caroline Witte - 14th
Hannah Heezen - 16th
Vet Science - 2nd
Ella Fagerhaug - 8th
Riley Roduner - 10th
Avery Orth - 16th
Addyson Orth
Remie Roduner
Ag Mechanics - 5th
Kirstie Munsen - 14th
Carson Hainy
Cayden Forrest
Garett Anson
Zephyr Lyon
Individual in the top 20:
Luke Larson - Poultry - 8th
Branden Flowers - Food Science - 13th
Hayes Havlik - Farm Business Management - 20th
Karter Mebius - Milk Quality and Products - 20th
Floriculture Placed 5th
Mercedes Jones - 12th
Mariah Messmer
Alyssa Grohs
Mackenzi Johanneson
MILLER, MARCH 28
“The Miller CDE was held March 28 and to clue you in on how we did, Wessington Springs took home the Sweepstakes for having the best day placing over every chapter there. This is an awesome achievement. Below are top 15 individuals and Top five teams.”
Horse Evaluation - 1st
Abby Kolousek - 2nd
Raylee Fagerhaug - 4th
Hannah Heezen - 14th
Caroline Witte
Vet Science - 1st
Riley Roduner - 2nd
Ella Fagerhaug - 3rd
Avery Orth - 5th
Remie Roduner - 7th
Addyson Orth - 13th
Agronomy - 1st
Landen Christensen - 1st
Robbie Hine - 2nd
Austin Schimke - 3rd
Sam Poncelow
Floriculture - 1st
Mackenzie Johanneson - 2nd
Mercedes Jones - 7th
Alyssa Grohs - 13th
Poultry Evaluation - 2nd
Colton Michalek - 2nd
Luke Larson - 6th
Ryder Michalek - 10th
Ag Mechanics - 3rd
Kirstie Munsen - 6th
Carson Hainy - 10th
Kordell Schafer
Cayden Forrest
Garett Anson
Zephyr Lyon
Food Science - 5th
Branden Flowers - 10th
Peyton Walz
Max Klein
Lucas Christensen
Livestock Evaluation - 5th
Harlee Heim - 10th
Carissa Scheel
Ranick Fjerstad
Dylan Raterman
Due to weather, the Wessington Springs FFA Chapter did not attend Little International in Brookings last Friday. Instead, the chapter attended the Howard CDE on Monday, April 3.
HOWARD, APRIL 3
“Wouldn't you know it, we have more hardware. These kids are incredible and deserve to have their achievements shouted from the rooftops. Please join me in celebrating our students at the biggest CDE so far. Fifty FFA Chapters were there today. Results include the following."
Meats Evaluation - 1st
Braydin LaBore - 2nd
Carter Gaikowski - 3rd
Blake Larson - 4th
Ridge Roduner - 8th
Vet Science - 2nd
Riley Roduner - 6th
Avery Orth - 7th
Ella Fagerhaug
Remie Roduner
Addyson Orth
Agronomy - 3rd
Landen Christensen - 2nd
Austin Schimke - 7th
Robert Hine - 9th
Sam Poncelow
Ag Mechanics - 5th
Kirstie Munsen - 8th
Carson Hainy
Garett Anson
Cayden Forrest
Horse Evaluation – 5th
Abigail Kolousek – 7th
Raylee Fagerhaug
Caroline Witte
Hannah Heezen
Individuals in the Top 15
Carissa Scheel - Livestock - 4th
Branden Flowers - Food Science - 10th
With more winter weather this week, the chapter is prepared to be flexible with changes in the schedule. The State Agriscience Fair has already been rescheduled for next week on Wednesday, April 12. The Groton CDE is still scheduled and Duxbury is monitoring any date changes closely.
Individual Successes
In addition to the impressive chapter success as a whole, Duxbury points out several individuals who have achieved significant accolades this year.
“Certain students rise to the top as star finalists. These individuals spend countless hours working on their projects and building their potential for future jobs through hands-on experience. Austin Schimke has been named one of the state’s four Star Ag Placement Finalists,” Duxbury began. (See story about Schimke on PAGE TWO) “Three young ladies submitted four FFA Proficiency applications and all three of them will make the stage and win money at State FFA Convention this year. Congratulations to Carissa Scheel in Swine Production Entrepreneurship, Abigail Kolousek in Goat Production Entrepreneurship/Placement and Riley Roduner in Wildlife Production and Maintenance Entrepreneurship/Placement. We will find out final placings at State FFA next week.”
Duxbury continued to shine a light on substantial progress displayed by students.
“I also feel the need to highlight a couple of solo performances. Lots of kids have done incredibly well, but few have made more dramatic improvements over the year than Addyson Orth in Vet Science and Troy Fastnacht in Natural Resources. These two have increased 81 places together between Redfield and Miller,” Duxbury shared. “All students have been working, but the dedication of these two are commendable. They are truly putting in the time and effort to improve their craft. I think we all know that young people who work like this will be productive adults. Congratulations to all the Wessington Springs FFA competitors and keep working hard!”
