The Aldine community showed its support for the districts FFA (Future Farmers of America) students by pledging close to $64,000 during the 43rd Annual Project Show and Country Fair, held Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center. Individual and group projects raised $63,190 at the Sale of Champions.
Nimitz High School junior Sarah Vitanza raised the grand champion steer, which was purchased by the Aldine Buyers Group for $7,000. The reserve grand champion steer was raised by Cody Tibbs of Nimitz High and was purchased by the Superintendents Group for $3,800.
The grand champion pig was raised by Ashley Gonzales of Eisenhower High School and was purchased by the Aldine Optimist Club for $2,300, while the reserve grand champion pig was raised by Samantha Skelton of Nimitz High and was purchased by G.E. Slater for $1,150.
The grand champion lamb was raised by Candice Catino of Nimitz High and was purchased by W.G.. Burchfield & Bro. for $1,600, while the reserve grand champion lamb was raised by Nicolas Gonzales of Eisenhower High and was purchased by Puma Construction for $700.
The grand champion goat was raised by Billy Igo of Nimitz High School and was purchased by W.G. Burchfield & Bro. for $1,400, while the reserve grand champion goat was raised by Chad Reese of MacArthur High and was purchased by Kidd Pipeline & Specialties Inc.
The grand champion fryer rabbits were raised by Daniel Buford of Nimitz High and were purchased by the Superintendents Group for $1,600, while the reserve grand champion fryer rabbits were raised by Catino of Nimitz High and were purchased by Republic Central Realty, Inc. for $700.
The grand champion broilers were raised by Clayton Weikel of Nimitz High and were purchased by First Southwest Company for $1,500, while the reserve grand champion broilers were raised by Matthew Ruscher of Nimitz High and were purchased by Republic Central Realty, Inc. for $700.
The grand champion turkey hen was raised by Ruscher of Nimitz High and was purchased by Vernon Masonry, Inc. for $1,300, while the reserve grand champion turkey hen was raised by Kenneth Taylor of Nimitz High and was purchased by U.S. Congressman Gene Green for $700.
The grand champion turkey Tom was raised by Igo of Nimitz High and was purchased by Congressman Green for $1,300, while the reserve grand champion turkey Tom was raised by Taylor of Nimitz High and was purchased by Component Sales & Services, Inc. for $750.
The grand champion horticulture project was produced by Cathy Matthew of Aldine High School and was purchased by Ed Kanes Western Wear for $1,600, while the reserve grand champion horticulture project was produced by Lauren Mensik of Aldine High School and was purchased by Beasley Tire Service, Inc. for $750.
The grand champion scholarship cake was made by Aldine High School and was purchased by former Aldine ISD Superintendent M.B. Sonny Donaldson for $650, while the reserve grand champion scholarship cake was produced by Eisenhower High School and was purchased by Champions Electric for $600.
All of the money raised by the students is theirs to use to pay for college or to fund their FFA projects next year.