Lexington-Richland 5 FFA earns top honors in veterinary science contest

Lexington-Richland 5 Future Farmers of America Chapter members earned top honors at the South Carolina  FFA Veterinary Science Career Development Event at Piedmont Technical College’s Newberry Campus on Friday, Nov. 6.

Thirty-three teams, composed of 135 individual competitors from around the state, participated in the event. The Lexington-Richland 5 FFA team earned third place, and Peyton Whittle was recognized as the first high individual in the entire competition.

The Lexington-Richland 5 FFA team members included Peyton Whittle (Chapin High), Maddie Thornhill (Chapin High), Kylie Scott (Spring Hill High) and Megan Snipes (Chapin High). Luisa Marmolejo Roman (Dutch Fork High), Ella Pridgen (Dutch Fork High) and Brooke McClure (Spring Hill High) also competed individually as alternates.

These students are enrolled in the veterinary science and technology program at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies.

“I am so proud of these students,” said Jessica Hidalgo, the team’s adviser. “They have invested countless hours into studying and preparing for this CDE. They represented School District Five, the Center and themselves incredibly well. I cannot wait to see what they will accomplish in other events this year.”

Career development events, or CDEs, are industry-related competitive events that challenge FFA members to use critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills, foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement.

The veterinary science CDE requires participants to demonstrate their technical proficiency with small and large animals by completing a written exam and solving critical-thinking scenario questions, identifications, and hands-on practicums. The South Carolina event was sponsored by the S.C. Association of Veterinarians and was hosted by the Piedmont Technical College Veterinary Technology program.

The South Carolina FFA Association, a subsidiary of the National FFA Organization, has a growing membership of more than 14,000 active FFA members. FFA is an intracurricular student organization that helps students develop leadership, demonstrate personal growth and achieve career success. Members have the opportunity to apply practical classroom knowledge to real-world experiences through local, state and national competitions.

For more information about the South Carolina FFA Association, visit www.clemson.edu/extension/scaged.