GRAND
AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION NAMED AT 2010 HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW™ AGRICULTURAL
MECHANICS PROJECTS SHOW — MARCH 20, 2010 — HOUSTON — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Winners
in the Agricultural Mechanics Project Show built firm foundations for their futures
with their projects.
FFA and 4-H members from across Texas design and
build, trailers, tractors, and electrical, livestock and other agricultural equipment.
More than $800,000 in prizes was awarded this year, ranging from welding
machines to new shop equipment.
Priddy FFA was named Grand Champion in the
Agricultural Mechanics Projects Show with its buffalo squeeze chute. Priddy FFA
won Reserve Grand Champion in the 2009 Agricultural Mechanics Show.
Members of the group were Colt Cagle, Landon Hood,
Lena Hood, Logan Kinkade, Johnathan McFarland, Walker Peters, Blake Randolph,
Logan Randolph and Cody Seider.
Barry Randolph, Priddy High School’s agricultural science
teacher, said the FFA group has attempted to win Grand Champion for nine years.
“There’s so much competition with this show,”
Randolph said. “We made some big changes in our design this year to try to beat
out the rest of the competition.”
Randolph’s two sons, Blake and Logan, are members
of the group. With Blake a senior and Logan a freshman, this is the only year
for the three family members to work together.
“Having your dad as the [agricultural] teacher
puts a lot of pressure on you,” Blake said. “But he’s such a great teacher and
he puts in a lot of hard work with us.”
Ellis County 4-H won Reserve Grand Champion with its
24-foot gooseneck stock trailer.
Team members were Eric Dolezalik, Gil Kalinec,
Joshua Knott, Chase Maliska, Tony Morales and Chris Valek. The group won third in
their division in 2009.
“We made a gooseneck trailer last year, but we had
to make it bigger and better to win, since the competition is so tough,” Eric
said.
Their metal shop teacher, Brian Harlan, has been
teaching at Ennis High School for 16 years.
“I hope I’ve given them guidance and supported
them,” Harlan said. “I just made sure to keep the shop door open and stayed as
late as they needed.”
Larry Walters, Agricultural Mechanics Committee
chairman and Show board of directors member, said agricultural mechanics is
important because it prepares students for future endeavors.
“This is an opportunity for them to learn new
skills that they can implement in a hobby or a career,” Walters said.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™
is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits
youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices
through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has
committed more than $250 million to the youth of Texas.
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