Aldine ISD FFA students top $176K mark at 52nd annual Livestock Show

The GRAND CHAMPION STEER raised by Tyler Kelch of Nimitz

Despite inclement winter weather, the Aldine community once again stepped up to the plate and rewarded Aldine ISD FFA (Future Farmers of America) students by spending more than $176,000 on student projects during the 52nd annual Livestock Show and Country Fair, held Feb 4-6 at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center.
The Sale of Champions was moved from Friday to Saturday due to the ice storm that struck the Houston area early Friday morning, and even though buyers had to wait an extra day to bid on projects, they came through once again for Aldine ISD’s students, said Franklin Higgins, director of career and technical education.

“We had to adjust our schedule because of the weather, but the 52nd annual Livestock Show and Sale of Champions was another successful one thanks the Aldine community’s unwavering support,” he said. “We can’t thank our community enough for the continued support they show to our hard-working students. We had another successful show because so many people and groups made a special effort to support our students as buyers.”
The final tally was $176,650. More money will be coming in when the district holds the Art Auction and Breakfast, which has to be postponed due to the ice story. Last year’s auction generated $8,000.
The money raised by AISD ag students is theirs to use for college scholarships or to fund future FFA projects during the 2011-12 school year.
Nimitz High junior Tyler Kelch raised the grand champion steer for the second consecutive year. His steer was purchased by A Contact Electric Rentals, LP, for $16,000. The reserve grand champion steer was raised by Michaela Tennyson of Nimitz High raised the reserve grand champion steer. First Construction Group purchased it for $8,000.
Kelch also raised the grand champion pig. It was purchased by the Superintendent’s Group for $7,250. Treyvion Johnson of Eisenhower High raised the reserve grand champion pig. It was purchased by the Eisenhower Vertical Group for $5,250.
The grand champion goat was raised by JaWaun Taylor of Aldine High. It was purchased by the Aldine Vertical Group for $5,500. The reserve grand champion goat was raised by Geary Evans of Nimitz High. It was purchased by the Operation Director’s Group for $3,700.
The grand champion lamb was raised by Taylor Palermo of Nimitz High. It was purchased by A Contact Electric Rentals, LP for $4,750. The reserve grand champion lamb was raised by Ashley Rodriguez of Nimitz High. It was purchased by AXA Equitable for $2,750.
The grand champion turkey was raised by Damaris Palacios of Nimitz High. It was purchased by the Aldine Buyer’s Group for $4,750. The reserve grand champion turkey was raised by Johnson of Eisenhower High. It was purchased by Beasley Tire Service, Inc. for $2,600.
The grand champion turkey hen was raised by Taylor of Aldine High. It was purchased by C and M Machining for $3,000.
The grand champion broilers were raised by Kelch of Nimitz High. They were purchased by A Contact Electric Rentals, Inc. for $3,750. The reserve grand champion broilers were raised by Palermo of Nimitz High. They were purchased by the Nimitz Vertical Group for $1,800.
The grand champion fryer rabbits were raised by Jaizel Juarez of MacArthur High. They were purchased by the MacArthur Vertical Group for $3,750.
The grand champion horticulture project was produced by Kelch of Nimitz High. It was purchased by the Nimitz Vertical Group for $4,100. The reserve grand champion horticulture project was produced by Brandon Alcala of Nimitz High. It was purchased by the Nimitz Vertical Group for $1,800.
The scholarship cake was produced by the MacArthur High FFA and was purchased by the MacArthur Vertical Group for $1,300. The runner-up scholarship cake was produced by the Nimitz high FFA and was purchased by the Nimitz Vertical Group for $1,400.