The Blanco FFA Chapter was just recently recognized on the national level in two different competitions. On May 7th, the Blanco FFA Range Judging team traveled to Oklahoma City to compete in the 57th Annual National Range and Pasture Judging Contest. This year’s event consisted of more than 170 schools from 35 states. Blanco’s team of Samantha Ruiz, Alisa Guler, Ross McCormick, Katie Baker, Jared Newby, and Sarah Isenberg would do very well placing 10th overall. Individually, Ross would rank 25th in the nation. This marks the eighth time that the Blanco FFA has qualified for the national contests in Oklahoma.

In addition to their success at the national range contest, the Blanco FFA was also notified that it had placed 2nd and 4th in the Iowa Western National Video Livestock Judging Contest. This is the only national video competition of its kind, with this year’s event consisting of more than 100 teams representing over 20 states. Students competing for the Blanco FFA in this year’s contest were: Keaton Dodd, Carrie Lockwood, Quaid Haack, Kaleigh Anderson, John Pepper, Victoria Jones, Austin Thompson, and Claire Klepac. Overall, Kaleigh and Carrie would tie for 1st high individual, while Claire would also finish in the top ten placing 8th and John would rank 12th. This marks the eleventh time that the Blanco FFA has placed in the top ten in this national event. As a result of their high placing, the Blanco FFA will be awarded a $600 scholarship.