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Upperclassmen at SVRCS head to nationals after placing first in state

LOGANTON -- November will be a busy time for a few Sugar Valley Charter School Future Farmers of America students.

Seniors Maddie Garcia and Sam Goldsmith and Juniors Olivia Cluster and Isabell Culvey will be representing SVRCS at the upcoming National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.

These students made up the Agronomy Team which placed first in the state competition.

The competition was split into two days, the first day was paper testing focusing on general knowledge, agronomy guide, seed identification, disease identification and more.

"They give you a list of around 70 different plants, and they may have 20 on the test," explained Advisor Robbie Weaver.

The second day consisted of a crop identification, soil activity, grain grading, an acreage team activity and field test.

"They impressed me on team day. Of all the teams, they knew where to go and what to do. They clicked -- we were happy about it. Team competition can hurt you. These guys worked together, they had a job and they did it. We were impressed," said Advisor Chuck Bechdel.

"We've seen in the past at states where team competition can really hurt you, this year we benefited. Our kids knew exactly what to do and worked together," said Weaver

Cluster placed second overall in the individual competition despite some hangups at the beginning.

"I didn't know it was timed, so I took my time on a few tests and ended up having to leave a couple blank," said Cluster, "It was an opportunity to prove that if you work hard, good things come. Last year we worked really hard and got nothing out of it. But this year was a chance to see that it could pay off."

The previous year, Sugar Valley was disqualified from the competition due to two students who had previously gone to nationals.

This year, the team redeemed themselves and strived for the best.

The advisors and team reminisced about the rainy weather and the day's challenges. Goldsmith noted that he had a lot of fun, specifically in the soil pit.

"It was fun -- I slid down it," said Goldsmith, "And I think I did really good on the general knowledge."

"I think we work pretty well as a team. Most of us are friends in school so it's really easy to get along and do well because we aren't constantly having a power struggle," said Cluster.

Advisors Jamie Fox and Kim Bohartz have also helped teach these students and watched them work hard to get where they are.

"Our kids work hard to place high. This isn't a string of good luck, it's hard work day in and day out that our students are putting in. That's why we've been doing so well and placing high in states," said Weaver.

Check out the team's official Tiktok account @sugarvalleyffa to get updates and see the team in action!