Members of the Randolph FFA are preparing for trips to remember this fall. After winning state competitions over the summer, eight students will be traveling to three major events across the eastern United States.
The group's Livestock Evaluation team recently placed first during the New York State Fair in Syracuse. All members of the team finished in the top ten, earning them spots at the National FFA Convention & Expo this October. It is the second year in a row the team has advanced to the national convention in Indianapolis.
The five students ranked animals from best to worst in the beef, goat, lamb and hog classes. They then had to explain their choices in front of a judge along with more than 50 other competitors. Nick Beaver came in first, Grady Steward in second, Taylor Hayes in sixth, Nichole Smith in ninth and Katrina Schrantz in tenth.
"They were so surprised," FFA Advisor Miss Hitchcock said. "They posed for the picture, sat back on the bleachers and then were like, 'We won!'"
Miss Hitchcock said the Dairy Cattle Evaluation team was also shocked when they learned about their second-place win overall in the state. Four students were tested on their dairy management knowledge while explaining housing and facilities for a farm. Taylor Costa, Kaleb Durow, Olivia Shawley and Sadie Steward took part in the competition against 18 other teams.
"The judge came to talk to me after and said the students blew her away," Miss Hitchcock said.
Shawley came in 10th in the dairy competition, earning her a spot at The Big E, a multi-state fair in Massachusetts that begins Sept. 13. Shawley also placed 12th overall in 4-H, a win that will send her to Harrisburg to judge at the All-American Dairy Show Sept. 14-18. Since both shows overlap, Aryana Sears will take Shawley's place at The Big E.
The FFA's Horse Evaluation team also did well, placing third during their first-ever outing in state competition. The students judged the builds and riding patterns of horses and identified their colors, breeds and equipment. They also gave a presentation on how they could get a particular color pattern on a horse at their ranch. Allison Conti came in ninth, Mariah LaRoy in 13th, Aryana Sears in 14th, and Taylor Costa in 16th.
The New York State Fair was not the only place where the Randolph FFA found success this summer. In July, three students from the Safe Tractor Operation team took part in a state contest at the Genesee County Fair. Taylor Hayes, Bryson Pitts and Reagan Smith all drove two- and four-wheeled wagons. They also operated a skid steer and were tested on safety and tractor identification.
Pitts finished in first place, a win that will also send him to The Big E. Hayes earned top honors by coming in sixth in driving, with Pitts finishing in the top ten in a separate welding competition.
"I don't think people realize the magnitude of this," Miss Hitchcock said. "There's nobody else in New York that's going to do livestock where we go. It's just us. Bryson will be the only person from New York driving a tractor. That's huge. That's amazing."
To Miss Hitchcock, the wins are even more impressive when considering the district's smaller size. While most Randolph FFA members have not grown up on a farm and may not enter the agricultural industry after graduation, she believes in the value of their experiences.
"I think this makes them more well-rounded," Miss Hitchcock said. "What do you want to learn? You can go to states for sports, but you can also go to states or nationals for stuff you use your noggin for. The opportunities are endless. There are more contests we could do, and they're not easy. There's a marketing contest. The kids did communications at last year's state convention and loved it. There's something for everyone."
FFA is an active club at Randolph Jr./Sr. High School with 72 students participating during the 2023-24 school year. Students interested in FFA can join starting in their seventh-grade year. Ninth- through 12th-graders are able to participate as long as they enroll in an agriculture class. According to Miss Hitchcock, many students are also active in 4-H.
"I grew up in Randolph and was a Randolph graduate," Miss Hitchcock said. "I've known these kids since they were young because I've been volunteering with 4-H for 20-some years. Seeing them excel in their hard work and doing all the great things I know they can, just blows my mind. I'm beyond proud."
In addition to bringing in community members to speak about the trades, animals are also a staple of the program.
"If you hear animals, they're probably in my classroom," Miss Hitchcock said. "There are rabbits over there. There was a pot-belly pig in here last year. I've brought in chickens, pheasants, a calf and a lamb. I also had a really loud goat, and that was a terrible choice; he screamed all day."