Liberty FFA Students Take 1st at State Competition, Qualify for Nationals

Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, FFA members from Carroll County high schools recently competed in career development events at the 85th Maryland State FFA Convention at the University of Maryland College Park.

Liberty High School

Twelve members of the FFA Chapter from Liberty High School competed in the career development events. 

• The Veterinary Science team placed 1st in the state of Maryland and earned the privilege of moving on to the competition at the National FFA Convention. Team members were Morgan Wooten, Elisabeth Wise, Samantha Warnke, and Jessica Marshall. 
• Morgan Wooten placed 2nd in the individual competition, followed by Elisabeth Wise in 3rd, Zoey Stump in 4th, Jessica Marshall in 7th, and Samantha Warnke in 14th.
• Liberty’s Floriculture team placed 3rd out of 14 teams. The team members were Molly Gaskin, Alyssa Kelly, Garrett White, and Kelli Maus. Individually, Gaskin placed 5th and Kelly placed 7th. 
• Gaskin took 2nd place in Prepared Public Speaking with a speech on the Mounted Police Force. 
• Kelli Maus won 3rd place in FFA Knowledge, and 
• Stephanie White won 5th place in FFA Knowledge and was 11th in the Job Interview competition.

Francis Scott Key High School

• The Ag Business Management team of Dustin Bowers, Tanner Shuster, Clark Anthony, and Garrett Martin placed 3rd as a team, with Bowers placing 8th and Shuster placing 10th. 
• Autumn Lippy placed 18 out of 45 contestants in FFA Knowledge.
• Samantha Anthony received her State FFA Degree and was recognized as Region 4 Star Farmer. 
• The FSK FFA Chapter was recognized for 7th place in membership growth during 2012-2013 and 10th place in total membership. 
• In addition, agriculture teacher Joseph Linthicum received the Maryland Agriculture Teacher Association’s Teacher Mentor Award for his work with a number of younger teachers by answering questions, giving guidance, and being an avenue to share their concerns.

North Carroll High School

• Michelle Rogers of North Carroll High School won the Junior Prepared Speaking event. She was recognized as the top 9th/10th grade FFA speaker in Maryland.