The Dolores High School Future Farmers of America Chapter achieved a bronze team ranking in agricultural cechanics at the Colorado FFA State Career Development Events held in Fort Collins at the end of April.
In the AG Mechanics contest, FFA students were put to the test with evaluations on problem solving, tool identification and usage, welding, electrical systems, woodworking and more.
Dolores Secondary AG teacher Alison Brown told The Journal that this contest is “one of the most hands-on and technical contests offered through FFA.”
The team consisted of sophomores Branson Lee and Hayden Lancaster and freshmen Kooper Thomas and Bentley Montgomery.
The bronze team ranking wasn’t the only award given to the team at the competition, as Lee won individual gold and Thomas received silver.
Several other Dolores High School FFA teams also competed at state. One of these teams was the horse judging team with junior Cheyanne Keim and sophomore Madisyn Schuster. In this division, Keim and Schuster evaluated horses on conformation and performance, giving reasons to support their decisions.
Dolores secondary AG teacher Alison Brown shared that Horse Judging builds decision-making, communication and livestock evaluation abilities that are vital to the equine industry.
The floriculture team included sophomores Jocelyn Hofmann and Hailey McClain and juniors Evie Porter and Bryley Paul. This contest tested the students’s plant identification, floral design, greenhouse management and customer service skills through simulated scenarios and other means.
In the food products and processing contest, junior River Wickstrom, sophomore Rylan Maloney (who earned an individual silver) and sophomore Sam Morey analyzed food samples, identified defects, evaluated quality and more. Freshmen True Loomis and Hagen Schamp competed in Milk Quality and Products, focusing on dairy product identification, milk evaluation, off-flavor detection and handling practices.
The AG sales team of juniors Ava Pyaett and Miles Brown participated in customer relations activities, sales presentations and problem-solving exercises that mirror possible agriculture sales experiences. These competitions prepare students for careers in agribusiness and marketing.
At the middle school level, the Dolores Middle School FFA Chapter competed at District Career Development Events in Durango. The Veterinary Science team of eighth graders Lexi Simmons, Gabby Hollen and Easton Goodall placed fourth. This team explored animal health, breeds, equipment and basic veterinary procedures.
The middle school Milk Quality and Products team of eighth graders Leif Rowan, Riegan Hofmann and Loralei Rantz secured first place with their knowledge of dairy identification, milk evaluation and quality practices.
Two Southwest Colorado FFA members were also spotlighted, as they will serve on the District 3 officer team for 2026-27. Tanna Young will serve as president, and Schuster as District 3 reporter.
Schuster is an incoming junior at Dolores High School who has served as chapter secretary for two years. She will now add chapter reporter to her resume. Brown said Schuster has participated in livestock and equine evaluation, prepared public speaking, maintains an Entrepreneurship Supervised Agricultural Experience and attended the Washington Leadership Conference.
“As one of my goals as an officer is to continue growing as a leader, I applied to become a district officer; an opportunity that truly reflects how much I’ve grown into my FFA jacket,” Schuster shared. “I am excited to step up and be part of something bigger than just my chapter.”
Young will serve as District 3 president. Young is an incoming senior at Montezuma-Cortez High School and chapter president. She has competed in Veterinary Science and Extemporaneous Speaking, maintains a cattle production SAE and showed a heifer at the Colorado State Fair, Brown said.
“I wanted the opportunity to be a level higher than chapter office,” Young said. “Now I am blessed enough to be given the opportunity to make this year the best yet for this district and get to know all of you so much better.”
As district officers, Young and Schuster will help their fellow officers organize leadership conferences, competitions, workshops, events such as Hesperus Leadership Camp, mentor members and promote agricultural education.
“Both Schuster and Young are strong examples of the leadership, dedication and passion for agriculture being developed within local FFA programs,” Brown said. “Through their service as district officers, they will help continue the tradition of building future agricultural leaders throughout Southwest Colorado.”
bduran@the-journal.com
