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Freshman and Holtville FFA student Kylie Toth braces her lamb, "Buddy," at the Holtville High Ag Department on Tuesday in Holtville. (FERNANDO ACOSTA JR. PHOTO / February 6, 2013) |
HOLTVILLE — A small group of students here sacrificed their lunch hour for the past few months in order to prepare for the numerous Best Informed Greenhand contests.
Yet due to the students’ hard work and sacrifice, they have finished first in the past three B.I.G contests.
“When we got first place at the first contest we were only a little surprised,” said Bryan Vega, a 14-year-old Holtville High School freshman and FFA member. “We worked really hard and prepared for a long time.”
The B.I.G contest quizzes first-time Future Farmers of America members on the history of the organization as well as the history of agriculture in the state.
In order to prepare for the contest, Bryan and three other FFA members spent countless hours reading the FFA manual and quizzing one another.
“Now that we know we can beat the other schools, we want to continue to get first place,” said Armando Nevarez, a 14-year-old Holtville High freshman and FFA member.
The next B.I.G contest will be held at Cal Poly Pomona in April, which will be the regional contest.
“I’m really looking forward to that one,” said Roberto Gonzalez, a 14-year-old Holtville High freshman and FFA member. “It’ll be the first time the contest will be at a college and there will be a lot of schools there.”
Although the contests are becoming more challenging, Holtville FFA adviser Maria Rangel Cozens has faith in her students.
“Even though they are involved in other activities, they make the time to study,” Cozens said. “They’re inspired to do well because they want to make their school and city proud.”
The organization’s success in the contests can be attributed to former competitors and Cozens, said John Tamayo.
“Other FFA members convinced us to compete and they give us pointers, too,” said John, a 14-year-old Holtville High freshman and FFA member. “And Mrs. Cozens is always testing us to make sure we’re ready.”
Staff Writer Karina Lopez can be reached at 760-337-3439 or klopez@ivpressonline.com
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