Isabella small engines team sets new bar for program at FFA state competition

Published 10:09 am Thursday, June 19, 2025

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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Isabella High School’s FFA program made history at the Alabama FFA State Competition on June 5 with the school’s first top-four finish in a competition at the state level since 2009. The small engines team for Isabella, consisting of John Wesley Campbell, Brady Franklin, Hank Roberts and Brayan Rosales, finished third out of the nine teams competing in the contest from across Alabama. Franklin placed in the top 10 of individual scorers out of 34 competitors. For the chapter as a whole, Isabella was awarded a chapter banner for their performance.

This year’s Small Engines Career Development Event was designed to provide students with an opportunity to compete and demonstrate their skills, abilities and competencies in small engines. Students had to install new pull cords, rebuild carburetors, identify parts and tools and solve problem-solving questions as part of the state competition.

Records for Isabella’s FFA program were reviewed following the state competition, and it became clear this year’s small engines team is the first group to place in the top four for the Mustangs at the state level in 16 years.

Also, at the state competition, the Isabella FFA Chapter was awarded the Bronze National Chapter Award. Chapters earn this award by completing yearly activities across three divisions. The tasks are designed to demonstrate a commitment to the FFA’s mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, promoting personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The Alabama FFA State Competitions were held at Southern Union Community College in Opelika.