FFA students earn more than $78,000 at 44th Annual Show

CAMPBELL CENTER– The Aldine community showed its support for AISD FFA (Future Farmers of America) students by pledging $78,695 for various individual and group projects during the 44th Annual Project Show and Country Fair, held Jan. 29-31 at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center.

“We can’t thank our community enough for the support they showed these students for all of their hard work,” said Franklin Higgins, director of career and technology education. “This year’s show saw an increase of close to $15,000 from the 2002 show.

That’s outstanding considering the current state of the economy. But it just goes to show the wonderful support Aldine ISD receives from this generous community.”

Ashley Gonzales of Eisenhower High School raised the grand champion steer, which was purchased by the Aldine Buyer’s Group for $10,000. The reserve grand champion steer was raised by Sarah Vitanza of Nimitz High School and was purchased by Myrex Industries for $8,750.

The grand champion pig was raised by Kelli Taylor of Nimitz High School and was purchased by Kidd Pipeline & Specialties Inc. for $2,300, while the reserve grand champion pig was raised by Bryan Doswell of Eisenhower High and was also purchased by Kidd Pipeline & Specialties Inc for $1,000.

The grand champion lamb was raised by Vitanza of Nimitz High and was purchased by W.G. Burchfield & Bro. For $1,600, while Gonzales of Eisenhower High raised the reserve grand champion lamb, which was purchased by Triple K Roofing for $700.

The grand champion goat was raised by Taylor of Nimitz High and was purchased by the Aldine Optimist Club for $1,600, while the reserve grand champion goat was raised by Pat Guillen of MacArthur High School and was purchased by W.G. Burchfield & Bro. for $1,000.

The grand champion fryer rabbits were raised by Candice Catino of Nimitz High School and were purchased by First Southwest Company for $1,100, while the reserve grand champion fryer rabbits were raised by Jenny Myers of Nimitz High School and were purchased by Beasley Tire Services, Inc. for $850.

The grand champion broiler rabbits were raised by Myers of Nimitz High and were purchased by Component Sales & Services, Inc. for $1,000, while the reserve grand champion broilers were raised by Clayton Weikel of Nimitz High and were purchased by Republic Central Realty, Inc. for $750.

The grand champion turkey Tom was raised by Myers of Nimitz High School and was purchased by Big Tex Condition & Heating for $1,000, while the reserve grand champion turkey Tom was raised by Catino of Nimitz High School and was purchased by Triple K Roofing for $600.

The grand champion turkey hen was raised by Myers of Nimitz High School and was purchased by U.S. Congressman Gene Green for $1,000, while the reserve grand champion turkey hen was raised by Catino of Nimitz High School and was purchased by the Superintendent’s Group for $650.

The grand champion horticulture project was produced by Lisa Matthews of Aldine High School and was purchased by Component Sales & Services for $900, while the reserve grand champion horticulture project was produced by Connie Guillen of MacArthur High School and was also purchased by Component Sales and Services for $500.

The grand champion scholarship cake was baked by Eisenhower High School and was purchased by Reeves State Farm Insurance for $500, while the reserve grand champion scholarship cake was baked by MacArthur High School and was purchased by Firesafe for $400.

All of the money raised by AISD FFA students is theirs to use to either pay for college or to fund their FFA projects for the 2003-04 school year.