By Mike Keeney
ALDINE – Once again, the Aldine community stepped up. They hit a home run for Aldine ISD FFA students and their projects at the 65th annual FFA Livestock Show and Country Fair auction, held Friday, Jan. 26, at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center.
Members of the community and Aldine ISD administrators and principals pledged $168,250 to students and their projects, which was $31,000 more than the 2023 show.
“On behalf of our FFA students and teachers, we want to thank our administration, principals, staff, and community members for their outstanding support of our students’ projects,” said Brooke Martin, executive director of career and technical education. “Every year, Aldine comes through for our kids, and we appreciate your generosity so much.”
Eisenhower High School student Jordan Williams raised the Grand Champion Steer, which the Superintendent’s Group purchased for $12,000. The Reserve Grand Champion Steer was raised by Elijah Burnett of Davis High School and was purchased by the Operation’s Group for $7,000.
The Grand Champion Pig was raised by Emilio Hernández of Nimitz High School and was purchased by the Optimist Club for $4,000. The Reserve Grand Champion Pig was raised by Melina Palma of Aldine High and was purchased by the Aldine Vertical Group for $4,500.
The Grand Champion Goat was raised by Jackie Cruz of Nimitz High School and was purchased by Beasley Tires for $3,000. The Reserve Grand Champion Goat was raised by José Meléndez of Nimitz High School and was purchased by the Nimitz Vertical Group for $3,000.
The Grand Champion Turkey was raised by Joshua Williams of Eisenhower High School and was purchased by the Operation’s Group for $4,000. The Reserve Grand Champion Turkey was raised by Albert Tejada of MacArthur High School and was purchased by the Mac- Arthur Vertical Group for $3,200.
The Grand Champion Broilers were raised by Jordan Williams of Eisenhower High School and were purchased by the Aldine Buyer’s Group for $2,400. The Reserve Grand Champion Broilers were raised by Giselle Martínez of Eisenhower High School and were purchased by the Operation’s Group for $1,900.
The scholarship banner was created by an Eisenhower High School senior FFA student and was purchased by the Eisenhower Vertical Group for $2,000.
The Grand Champion Artwork was created by Emanuel Perales of Davis High School and was purchased by TCCA for $3,100. The Reserve Grand Champion Artwork was created by Richard Zavala of MacArthur High School and was purchased by the MacArthur Vertical Group for $3,300.
The money raised by the student’s projects can be used for college scholarships or to fund projects for next year’s auction.