Thorsby FFA returns four teams to state competition

Published 10:22 am Friday, April 28, 2023

By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

The Thorsby High School FFA Chapter batted 1.000% at the Central District Competition on April 14 and sent all four of its teams to the state competition. Held at Southern Union Community College, the Rebels were represented by four teams — meat evaluation, veterinary science, poultry science and forestry. Three teams placed first and won the competition and one finished third sending all four teams to the state competition at Auburn University on June 6.

“It was a very successful competition,” Thorsby FFA coordinator Brian Lucas said. “We are really excited, and they are still working and trying to hopefully go win some state championships.”

Thorsby’s meat evaluation team won their contest, and the team consisted of Mesha Mims, Brock Johnson, Lilly Smith and the highest scoring individual in the contest Tori Mims.

The veterinary science team also took home first place in their contest with Abdul Elkhatib, Jadon Green, Ella Brasfield and the highest scoring individual Haley Maddox.

Aiden Niamon, Luke Turner and highest individual scorer Aiden Turner of the Thorsby forestry team was the third team for the Rebels to win their contest.

“I tell them ‘Nothing is free in life, and if you want it, you have to work for it,’” Lucas said. “I have been blessed to have a good group of kids who work hard and want to do the best in everything they do. They make my job a lot easier.”

Thorsby’s poultry science team of Lexi Crowe, Elizabeth Cochran, Presley Raye Knighton and Ava Robinson placed third in the contest, but still qualified for the state competition at Auburn.

Those interested in supporting the Thorsby FFA program at the state competition can contact Lucas at bklucas@chiltonboe.com.