Cattlemen's Classic
by Ella Gaes
On Wednesday, February 16, eight members from the Pierce FFA chapter traveled to Kearney for the Cattlemen's Classic. These members included Ayden Thelen, Colton Fritz, Kelton Anderson, Haiden Magnussen, Larissa Meier, Kyla Knox, Brielle Unseld, and Ella Gaes.
The event was located at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds where a large cattle show was hosted and many vendors from the ag industry gathered.
FFA chapters from around Nebraska also gathered to compete, with a total of 24 teams competing. The topic that was given was “What farm to plate advantages do we have in Nebraska to positively affect the supply chain? What challenges are there?” All teams had a time limit to go around and socialize with the cattle managers and ag vendors to get their opinion from their area in the ag field about the given topic. The FFA members then sat down to write a three to five minute speech about the specific topic that four designated members would later give to three judges. Meier, Unseld, Magnussen, and Gaes were the competitors from Pierce. The Pierce members that presented were well prepared because everyone was able to pitch in and help with writing the speech.
The attendees then ate lunch and listened to some past FFA member public speakers.
A little while later the Pierce team had their five minute speech memorized and was able to dominate every team that competed by taking first place and winning a $1000 scholarship that was evenly distributed between the four.
