By Brenda Sexton, The Courier-Herald
The White River High School FFA program has put together a string of wins recently including a Logging Rodeo victory March 6 and being named its district's top agricultural program.
The Hornets topped eight other teams, including Enumclaw High, at its annual High School FFA Logging Rodeo at the Log Show Grounds in Buckley. The event is hosted by Buckley's Log Show Committee.
White River's Chris Nicholas and Taylor Landry won the all-around boys and girls competition, respectively.
Landry won the large chain saw, small chain saw and ax throw competition. She was also second in the log chop and third, with Nicholas, in the Jack and Jill contest, and fifth in the match split.
In addition to his third-place Jack and Jill finish with Landry, Nicholas won the choker set and 20- and 40-foot pole climbs. He was second in the double buck, third in log chip and fourth in small chain saw.
For the girls, Kelsey McLaughlin won the 40-foot pole climb, was second in the 20-foot pole climb and match split and third in the ax throw.
Kim Lind won the match split and 20-foot pole climb. She earned second in the large chain saw and fourth in the 40-foot pole climb.
Abby Hamilton had a second-place finish in the 40-foot pole climb, earned fourth-place finishes in the log chop, match split and 20-foot pole climb and was fifth in the large chain saw competition.
Mary Layton captured third in the log toss, small chain saw and both 20- and 40-foot pole climbs. She was also fifth in ax throw. Teammate Veronica Smith was a fourth-place finisher in the log chop and 20-foot pole climb and Marie Railing earned fifth in both the log chop and 20-foot pole climb.
For the boys, Logan Clark and Jeremy Hill earned first in double bucking. Clark also picked up second in the 20- and 40-foot pole climbs and third in single buck competition. Hill finished second in the match split and fifth in the large chain saw contest.
Josh Miller earned second in the double buck and fourth in match split. Teammate Ryan Waggoner was second in large chain saw and log chop, fourth in single buck and fifth in small chain saw.
Hornets Brendon Pool and Rocky Simmons teamed up for a third-place finish in double buck. Simmons also earned third in log toss and fourth in ax throw.
On the agriculture side, the White River FFA chapter was recently named Outstanding District Agriculture Program for the second year in a row. The honor is voted on by teachers from the 30 schools in the district. The program now posts its entry in the national competition.
In addition, White River FFA adviser Amy Miller was named District 2's Outstanding Young Member Agriculture Teacher. The honor is for teachers with six years of experience or less. This is Miller's sixth year teaching. The award is voted on by her peers. She now has the opportunity to compete at the national level.
The chapter is also preparing for the annual Northwest Junior Livestock Show coming up April 14-18 at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup with its largest number of student participants and animals.
FFA adviser Todd Miller said he thought participation numbers would be down this spring since the move to new high school meant losing the on-campus barn. But having to house the animals off campus has not deterred participants.
Approximately 23 students will be showing animals at the fair. This year's animal selection, for showing and sale, includes 31 pigs, four lambs and a steer. Plateau area residents interested in purchasing an animal can contact the school at 360-829-0600.
Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com
