For more than 20 years, American AgCredit has sponsored the Sonoma Section FFA Project Competition, providing local high school students opportunity to gain recognition and scholarship. The 2018 awards ceremony was held May 14.
Significant winners include Dillon Dunkel of Healdsburg FFA, the overall winner in the junior division with his market steer and market hog projects.
Ariel Scholten of Sebastopol FFA was named the overall winner in the senior division with her work experience, sheep and fruit tree projects.
The American AgCredit scholarship went to Kelsey Martin of Petaluma FFA who will be attending UC Davis in the fall to pursue a career in veterinary research.
Competition judges, experienced representatives from American AgCredit, evaluated participants on their knowledge of their project, how well their project relates to his or her career plans and their degree of involvement in the project.Â
Students were also judged on the neatness and accuracy of their record keeping and their appearance and presentation during the interview process.
Local participants and their awards are as follows:
Sebastopol FFA winners: Kiley Andersen, gold; Jake Lepori, gold; Austin Maners, gold; Marissa Pendleton, gold; Ariel Scholten, gold, Shantel Shaw, silver; Olivia Williams, gold.
Healdsburg FFA winners: Jacqueline Doherty, silver; Dillon Dunkel, gold; Madison Foppiano, silver; Emilly Hambly, gold; Viviana Madgaleno, gold; Ian Plum, silver; Lola Plum, gold; Ashley Remillard, silver.
— submitted by Kristie Fry
