By: Bella Suto

It’s safe to say that the Coronavirus pandemic didn’t leave a lot of room for an eventful summer. Fortunately, the Norris FFA received a win in the form of them being able to participate in virtual Nebraska State Career Development Events. The following information are the results from these events:

In the Ag Technology and Mechanics Competition, Cole Ebbers received 17th place, and a blue ribbon, with a score of 206.

In the Agronomy Competition, the team, composed of Erin Oldemeyer, Anna Rohrer, Luke Harms and Noah Niemeyer, won 7th Place, and received a blue ribbon, with a team score of 1487. As for the individuals, Erin Oldemeyer got 17th place, with a blue ribbon, and a score of 428. Anna Rohrer got 24th place, and earned a blue ribbon, with a score of 391. Luke Harms obtained 30th place, and a blue ribbon, with a score of 366. Lastly, Noah Niemeyer obtained 49th place, and a red ribbon, with a score of 302.

This year, the Farm and Agribusiness Management team are state champions! The team earned a purple ribbon for their hard work, and received an overall team score of 264. Individually, Hunter Deboer placed 3rd, with a purple ribbon, and a score of 75.

Carter Rohrer placed 8th, with a purple ribbon, and a score of 68.4. Daniel Oldemeyerplaced 12th, earning a blue ribbon, as well as a score of 67. Finally, we have Blake Whipple who placed 39th, earning a red ribbon and a score of 54.

In the Floriculture Competition, the team received 3rd place, and a purple ribbon, with a team score 1270.2. Sada Alman got 3rd place, a purple ribbon, and a score of 366.2Emmi Dearmont got 14th place, a blue ribbon and a score of 340. Amy Mitchellearned 23rd place, as well as received a blue ribbon, and a score of 296. Grace Gutzmer is the final team member, who individually earned 39th place, as well as received a red ribbon, and a score of 268.

In the Senior Division of the Livestock Evaluation Competition, the team won a white ribbon, and had an overall score of 1062.As for the teammates, Zach Pittmanplaced 19th, and got a blue ribbon, with a score of 539. Meanwhile, Brett Heinrich placed 25th, and got a blue ribbon, with a score of 523.

In the Livestock Management Competition, the team, made up of Rayley Burnside, Brett Heinrich, Emily Kerbs, and Erin Oldemeyer obtained a white ribbon, and earned a team score of 56. 

In the Nursery and Landscape Competition, the team received a red ribbon, and a team score of 326. Lani Bohmont, another state champion, won 1st place and gained a purple ribbon with her score of 166. Isaiah Langston won 3rd place, and gained a purple ribbon with his score of 160.  Both Lani and Isaiah received a $1000 scholarship for the colleges of their choice!

More state champions for this year include the Welding team, who received1st place, as well as a purple ribbon, and a team score of 564. Individually, Sean Kile, yet another state champion, placed 1st in TIG, and obtained a purple ribbon, and a score of 171. Daniel Oldemeyer, a state runner up, placed second in MIG, and obtained a purple ribbon with a score of 146. Dane Van Cleave placed 4th in OIA with his Oxyacetylene, and obtained a purple ribbon with a score of 219. Last, but not least, Luke Whipple placed 9th in ARC, and obtained a blue ribbon with a score of 118.1.

Congratulations to all the Norris FFA members who competed this year! Your hard and skills are very admirable. For all the state champions this year, we wish you the best of luck!