BROOKINGS - The Mitchell FFA Veterinary Science CDE team placed first in the state competition Tuesday at the State FFA Convention in Brookings. Team members Hailey Axemaker, Lily Hoffman, Ally Goldammer and Grace Phinney had to identify various breeds of small animals, livestock, parasites and veterinary tools, as well as solve medicine dosage math problems and answer general questions on veterinary science.
"These students, as well as alternate members Tierney Musick and Annika Vermeulen, studied for countless hours in preparation for this state event, and I am very proud of their efforts," said Adviser Jeff Hoffman.
Goldammer, Phinney and Axemaker placed second, fourth and fifth overall individually. The team will represent South Dakota in the Veterinary Science Career Development Event in October at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
Other Mitchell FFA members receiving awards were Natalie Buckley, who placed second in Floriculture, and Shelby Riggs, placing third in Agricultural Business Management. Goldammer also placed first in the Environmental Science division of the FFA Agriscience contest. FFA senior members receiving their State FFA Degrees were Micah DiPippo, Johnna Jorgensen, Tyler Sypnieski, Lily Hoffman and Goldammer. Many other Mitchell students placed in the silver and bronze categories of their respective Career Development Events.
Twenty-seven Mitchell FFA students attended the state convention, where they attended leadership workshops and convention sessions, and heard speeches from Cody Back, manager for the National FFA officer team, and Sydney Snider, Eastern Region FFA vice president. The theme of the 88th South Dakota State FFA Convention was, "We Own It!"
