For the thirteenth consecutive year, the Blanco FFA will be competing in the State Land and Range contests after qualifying all three of their fall judging teams for the annual event to be held in April at Tarleton State University. Blanco would rank higher than any other schools in the area, winning two contests, while finishing second in a third. Overall, Area VII consists of more than 100 schools ranging in size from 1A to 5A.

In the land judging contest, Blanco would finish the day second, with Victoria Jones, Austin Thompson, Austin Deshane, and Shelby Moore all placing in the top ten individuals. Jeff Haas, David Hostetler, and Brooks Wyatt would also excel as each would finish in the top ten in the alternate division. In addition, Blanco’s team would also take second place in the Hill District contest held earlier in the week with all team members ranking high individually. Other students competing on the land team included: Tanner Reddout, Kelcee Hunter, Lacee Hunter, Tauna Luke, Keith Baize, Brennan Ayres, and Lisa Dechert.

Blanco’s range plant identification team would take home first place for the fifth consecutive year with Taylor McCormick winning high point individual honors. Other Blanco FFA members placing in the top ten included: Keaton Dodd, Kaleigh Anderson, and Grayson Elrod, while Daniel Romero and Corey Dowlearn would take first and second respectively in the alternate division. Blanco would also win the district contest as well, giving them a clean sweep of the fall plant identification contests.

Finally, Blanco’s range team would claim the top spot in the range and pasture judging event. Ross McCormick, Alisa Guler, Sarah Isenberg, and Jared Newby would all place in the top ten individually, while Aaron Thomson would win the alternate division with Katie Baker, Tucker Edmondson, Samantha Ruiz, Claire Klepac, Carrie Lockwood, and Austin Smith all finding placings in the top ten. The range team would also pull off a clean sweep of the fall range competitions winning all 4 contests they competed in.

Each of these teams will now prepare for the State Land and Range Contests which will be held next semester in Stephenville. Advisors for the Blanco FFA are Felice and Jason Marek.