ATU-Ozark hosts FFA competition

To help kick off National FFA Week, Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus hosted a Future Farmers of American (FFA) regional event Friday, Feb. 15, featuring 80 high school students from 12 high schools.

The event was an agricultural-mechanical and electrification practice competition in preparation for the northwest district competition held at Arkansas Tech in Russellville on March 14. Winners of the district competitions go on to the state competition, which will be held April 19 in Fayetteville.

High schools were represented in each category by four-person teams with one alternate. The contests were facilitated by Arkansas Tech-Ozark faculty and staff.

Agri-mechanical categories included written and practical exams relating to surveying, concrete, small engines and welding. Also, students competed in the following electrification categories: parts identification, diagraming, floor-plan design and wiring.

The following school districts were represented: Booneville, Cedarville, County Line, Hartford, Lavaca, Mansfield, Mountainburg, Oark, Ozark, Pea Ridge, Scranton and Westside.

Winners of the electrification categories: First place, Hartford; second place, Booneville; third place, County Line. Winners of the agri-mechanics categories: First place, Hartford; second place, Cedarville; third place, Lavaca.

Ken Warden, chief business and community outreach officer, said, “This was a great group of students, and we really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of such a fun learning experience.

“Skill trades are sometimes overlooked, and FFA competitions like this help prepare students for a successful high-skill, high-wage career.”