Agricultural Mechanics Team Competes at National Contest
FFA members from the Goldthwaite FFA Chapter competed in the National FFA Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event. Team members were Ryan Wadkins, Jordan Gist, Tanner Riewe, and Bryce Barnett. The National Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event is a competitive activity that allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Activities included in the event are a written exam, a team activity, demonstration of problem-solving skills, and hands-on performance activities. Areas of emphasis include energy systems, environmental/natural resource systems, machinery & equipment systems, structural systems and industry & marketing systems. The team activity consisted of the 4 members working together in a given scenario with a given skill to complete. The scenario was an industry shipping procedure. The teams were asked to construct a shipping crate to specifications and to determine and print shipping information. Included in the information were shipping carrier, weight, cost, and arrival confirmation for the customer. Individual activities consisted of determining the volume and bushels of a cone shaped grain pile, determining the grade of a construction site using laser level surveying equipment. Additional skills were a welding skill, determining tolerances of a small gasoline engine, and a parts order sheet from a parts and repair service scenario. The event was held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 24th and 25th.
The Teams met the morning of Friday the 26th for the awards banquet at the Indianapolis Convention Center. The Goldthwaite Team tied for 10th place and received 11th on a tie breaker, and was recognized as a gold emblem team. All gold emblem teams received a Lincoln MIG welder for the chapter. In addition, team member Ryan Wadkins was recognized as the 12th place individual and received a $500 scholarship. There were 43 teams in attendance at the National contest. California was the top scoring team with a score of 801 out of 1000 points. Texas tied with Nebraska with scores of 726. FFA is a national youth organization of 495,046 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 7,242 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.