Covid-19 may have disrupted just about everything, but the Texas FFA along with area and district organizations found ways to keep operating under these unprecedented times.  From the time school closures began, Ag teachers across the state began making plans to proceed with many of the spring events through Zoom conferencing.  Covid-19 did close down the majority of the spring competitive career development events including livestock and wool judging along with major livestock shows including the Hunt County Fair.  Celeste FFA students had to adapt to the new “virtual” environment for countless contests, interviews and elections.  Celeste FFA is proud to share some great news involving some outstanding individuals!

Kloe Walker began her quest to become a Ford Leadership Scholar this past fall by submitting a rigorous application.  This is a very prestigious program that only selects 10 Scholars out of hundreds of applicants.  Kloe was required to read, “Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think” by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund, and then answer a 50 question test over the book.  She did well on the test and scored high on the application.  Kloe made it to the next round, and in April, she interviewed via Zoom with the Texas FFA Foundation and the Texas Ford corporate sponsors.  Congratulations to Kloe for being selected as one of the top twenty-five applicants in the state!

Kloe has also been very busy preparing to run for the Area 5 FFA officer team.  This required her to complete a lengthy application, study FFA history and bylaws, complete a 50 question exam, interview via Zoom and write a speech.  She had to video and upload the speech so that FFA members could virtually view it and then the voting delegates from each FFA chapter in Area 5 cast their votes online.  Kloe was elected as the 2020-2021 Area 5 Sentinel.  Celeste FFA is so proud of her commitment and dedication to the FFA, and we are excited and looking forward to seeing her represent Celeste FFA and District 2 at the Area level!

Paris Walker entered the District 2 FFA Junior Prepared Public Speaking contest.  She wrote a five to eight minute speech about a current agricultural topic and then she videoed herself delivering the speech and uploaded it to be virtually evaluated.  Paris placed 1^st in District and 2^nd at Area.  She will be competing in the virtual state contest in July.  Congrats and good luck to Paris!

Each year the Hunt County Fair awards deserving, graduating seniors with the Phil Garrett Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.  Applicants are required to fill out an application and write an essay that demonstrates how the Hunt County Fair and Livestock Show has affected their life as well as describe career goals and how this scholarship would have an impact on their education and career goals.  Congratulations to the following Celeste FFA members:  Jaycee Brown, Karalyn Goodman and Mackenzie Minter. 

The Celeste FFA Booster Club awards eligible seniors with scholarships each year.  This year, the recipients of a $700 scholarship are as follows:  Jaycee Brown, Karalyn Goodman, Mackenzie Minter, Morgan Stark and Savannah Stone.  Congratulations and the best of luck to these deserving FFA seniors. 

Celeste FFA members, Madisyn Douglas and Raegan Sumrow, exhibited their breeding heifers at an off-site Hunt County Heifer Show.  Since the Hunt County Fair and Livestock Show was canceled due to Covid-19, the show was held at Higher Trails Cowboy Church Arena on June 6, 2020.  Showing her Santa Gertrudis cattle, Madisyn won breed Champion and Reserve Breed Champion.  She also won American Division Champion and the Senior Showmanship award.  Raegan won Grand Champion Red Brahman heifer.