Aldine ISD FFA students’ projects reap close to $64,000 at 43rd Annual Project Show

Nimitz junior Sarah Vitanza raised the grand champion steer at them AISD Project Show.

The Aldine community showed its support for the district’s 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 Buyer’s Group for $7,000. The reserve grand champion steer was raised by Cody Tibbs of Nimitz High and was purchased by the Superintendent’s 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 Superintendent’s 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 Kane’s 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.