By Brandi Miller for the FCT

The Red Bay High School FFA is an active club on campus. The FFA String Band and FFA Quartet are in high demand throughout the community, always performing for various events and organizations. The String Band and Quartet, along with the many other divisions of the RBHS FFA, recently traveled to Wallace State University in Hanceville to compete in District competition.

This is always a highlight for the RBHS FFA, and students always perform highly, representing Red Bay and Franklin County well.

“We have an outstanding group of young people,” said RBHS FFA sponsor Jarod Massey. “I am extremely proud of all of them.”

The District competition took place April 21, and the FFA students from Red Bay High School competed against more than 1,400 students from counties all over North Alabama.

“The 2017 North District competitions were very successful,” said FFA member and sophomore Jon Shotts. “I thoroughly enjoyed attending the competition this year.”

The FFA spends many months both in and out of school preparing for district competition. Students will often even spend summers preparing for the upcoming school year so they will be ready for competitions.

In total RBHS brought home five banners. RBHS senior Ethan Mobley placed first in Extemporaneous Speaking. The Floriculture team, made up of Eliza Williams, Keslie Robbins, Bren Wells and Lydia Morphis, also placed first.

The Conduct of Chapter Meetings, which consists of Kylee James, Isaac Weileman, Kayleigh Scott, Alexis Tabbs, Mason Holt, Brittney Aters and Miranda Brewer, placed second. The FFA Quartet placed third, with members Megan Shotts, Arriet Opulu, Jace Pounds and Abigail Jacobs. The FFA String Band, made up of Jodi Shotts, Cameron Patterson, Drent Robbins, Jon Shotts, Brady Collum, Briley Mills, Kaleb Kent and Taylor Cash, brought home fourth place.

All of these students/divisions will advance to the state competition in June.

Livestock Judging, Small Engines and Quiz Bowl also competed but did not qualify to continue on to state competition. Livestock Judging members are Andrew Richardson, Hunter Tyler, Jason Forrester and Austin Mason. Small Engines members are Shelton Rozzell, Kade Hester, Kaleb Sims and Ethan Ray. Quiz Bowl members are Kathy Garcia, MaKenzie Young, Holly McKinney, Chloe Hall and Meagan Wicker.

“I would like to thank everyone that participated today,” said Massey. “I would also like to thank the parents and guests that went to support us at District. Red Bay had an awesome turnout.”