JHS girls head to nationals in Oklahoma
Lowry, left, and Barrows explain land judging
The Jay Town Council approved two sponsorships, one of $500 for the Jay Pro Rodeo and $250, for the Jay High School's Future Farmer of America (FFA) State Land Judging Champions team to travel to Oklahoma and compete on the national level at its meeting Tuesday night. Mayor Shon Owens was not present.
Jay Pro Rodeo organizer Lana Rowell presented the financials to the council members, required by the council when any organization requests a donation. She reminded the council that the monies raised at the rodeo each year go back to into the surrounding communities, schools, sports leagues, charities, a local children's home and other non-profits every year. She said they have to keep enough money each year to pay the 3R Rodeo Company from Jemison, Ala., for the next year and those prices have gone up.
The rodeo is set for 8 p.m., Friday April 28 and Saturday, April 29, at Ted May Arena on Highway 4 in Jay. Various levels of sponsorship are available to anyone who would like to sponsor by contacting Frederick Barrow at 850-288-0634. Each level contains amenities such as signs hung on the arena, tickets, VIP seats and sponsor name announcements during the show.
Councilwoman Nina Hendricks made a motion to donate $500, which was seconded by Councilman Josh Holloway. The motion carried.
The Jay High School FFA is raising $10,000 through sponsorships to travel to El Reno, Okla. to compete in the national land judging competition May 1 through 5.
JHS Advisor Kaylen Findley and members of the FFA state winning team Emma Barrows and Josie Lowry presented to the council the different sponsorship levels and the work involved to get to Oklahoma.
Barrows and Lowry said the soil in Oklahoma is different from Florida, which puts students who do not live and study in Oklahoma at a disadvantage so they really have to work hard to win. She said students are not allowed in the competition to use instruments that are used by professionals and they must make calculations and determine answers using simple items and formulas.
"You have 4 pits dug around 5 feet deep and you judge the soil quality, and the different types of soil to see which different crops if any will grow best," said Barrows. "One pit is judged as a possible home site to see if it will withstand a structure, as well as the drainage, erosion, and other aspects of the soil."
Lowry said it takes a lot of studying, time and practice, which the team has been doing a lot of.
"We use clipboards, pencils, measurements and memorize a lot so you know what to mark," said Lowry. "You have to use your resources to figure out these things. In the real world, people who do this as a career have tools built for this specifically. We have to use simple things and it takes a lot of work and dedication."
Barrows said they are the second team at Jay to win state and go to nationals. The first one was in 2019. The state contest was in Live Oak, Fla. this year and Jay FFA scored well above the second place winner.
The $10,000 will pay for flights, rooms, rental, gas, food and some other items for the competition. Four seniors, Barrows, Lowry, Emerson Walters and Avery Mitchen, make up the team who will travel to nationals.
Findley said the fundraisers FFA has in place are earmarked, so this fundraiser to go to the nationals is focused more on sponsorships. She noted that while everyone supports sports so readily, these girls work as hard on their skills, but it's not seen as openly as sports is.
"I don't think people understand what winning a state championship means to these girls," said Findley. "This is a big deal. In the sports world, we see that more, but this is not a spectator sport. But they put as much determination and dedication into winning the state championship as anyone who would gain a state title would."
Councilwoman Nina Hendricks made a motion to approve a $250 sponsorship, which was seconded by Councilwoman Jane Hayes. The motion carried unanimously.
To sponsor or donate, contact Kaylen Findley at 850-359-0013 or email [email protected]. Checks can be made payable to Jay High School and mailed to Jay FFA Chapter, Jay High School, 3741 School St., Jay, Fla., 32565.
