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Nevada FFA Livestock Team

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Representing the state of Missouri in the mile high city, four members of the Nevada FFA Chapter along
with their coach traveled to Denver, Colorado this past week to compete in the Western National
Roundup 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging Contest as part of the National Western Stock Show. Some of
the best in the nation all came together to compete in the contest, held at Colorado State University,
however, it took a great deal of work for each of these teams to get there. The contest was comprised of
the qualifying team from each state’s competition, making the Western National Roundup one of the
most competitive livestock judging contests in the country. Seniors, Cara Comstock and Payton Dahmer,
along with juniors, Kaylee Farmer and Skyler Scotten made up the qualifying team to represent the state
of Missouri in the FFA division. In order for the team to get to the qualifying stage though, they put in
numerous hours of hard work spent traveling to different contests and practices throughout the year; all
leading up to the district FFA contest, in which they won, and the Missouri State FFA contest where they
placed second. The team was extremely successful throughout their season, winning 9 consecutive
contests up to state. Although they fell short of winning the state FFA contest, what makes the group
unique, is they also were the Missouri State 4-H champion team, qualifying them to compete at the
North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY. Rarely does a team made up of the
same four kids, have the opportunity to compete at the two most prestigious contests in the nation, all
in the same year. So, the four continued to work throughout the fall up until their contest in Louisville,
where they brought back many titles to our state. Some of which included:
Third High Team in the Sheep/Goat division and Third High Team in Oral Reasons, and Dahmer brought home the honor of being named the High Individual Overall in Oral Reasons and named an All- American. Next, the team made their travels to Denver, where they were once again deemed successful. In the contest the team
was named Reserve Team in the Goat division and Swine division, Champion Team in the Cattle division, the Sheep division, and in Oral Reasons, and therefore were named the Champion Team Overall, bringing home the National Title.

Vernon County has never had a National Champion team in recent history, so accomplishing this goal was something that these kids will forever remember. Team member, Kaylee Farmer, says,“Participating in livestock judging is such a great networking opportunity. It has allowed me to meet so many people as well as given me the opportunity to compete in contests all over. I am truly humbled by our success this past year, especially in Denver and I am anxious to see what the future holds for each of us.” Aside from the immense success of the team, they have all gained valuable life skills such as public speaking, decision making, and knowledge of the livestock industry. They have had many doors opened
for them throughout the years, ranging from multiple contest wins, to meeting a variety of new people.

All four team members have intentions to judge on a collegiate team after high school, and hopefully their vast success will offer many scholarship opportunities as well. “Livestock judging has been such an amazing experience for myself and my teammates. I have had many doors opened for college and my future career plans, and none of this would have been possibly if not for the wonderful out pouring support from our community. We are so blessed to have the support that we do, and are beyond excited to take the next step of our judging journey together as we prepare for the international contest in Scotland.”Cara Comstock.  

The team sincerely wants to thank everyone who has helped them get to this point, including 4-H coaches, and FFA Coaches, Bryan Gast and Tonya St. John.

Now as we gear up for our travels to Scotland we will need the support of everyone possible, to make this trip a dream come true.

Organizer

Tonya StJohn
Organizer
Nevada, MO

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