The Veterinary Science Team advanced to the state level, making them the first team in the district to do so. They will compete at the state competition at Texas A&M University College Station on April 30.
“I’m ecstatic that my vet science team advanced and I’m so proud of these girls,” FFA advisor Magan Escamilla said. “I think all of our FFA teams know it takes hard work to make it to this level but it takes more than that. Each team member has to have the drive and desire to make it to state.”
The team got third place, and were required to demonstrate skills in front of a judge, including a vet science exam, and a series of parasite, organ, instrument and breed identifications. Each list are comprehensive with over 100 items. The top six teams advance from area to state.
“Getting ready for the competition was challenging,” team member Julia Tate said. “We [the team] would get here at 7 in the morning to study and practice.”
Three students, juniors Tori Maher and Julia Tate and senior Lila Ross scored in the top 20. Ross placed ninth, while Maher placed 15th and Tate placed 19th out of 200 competitors. If they place at the state level, they will move on to the national competition in Indianapolis.
“I’m really excited,” Tate said. “This is a big step for Vandegrift FFA because we have not really been a well know chapter as far as FFA goes and I think that advancing to state gives us more publicity and is really an amazing experience for us.”