In recent competition, Christiana high school’s Agriscience organization entered four state competitions, with all four teams winning first place. Additionally, all the first place individuals in each event were from Christiana!  The competitions where held during the Delaware State Fair in Harrington DE.

The winning CDE (career development event) teams include Agronomy, Forestry, Landscaping, and Poultry. Agronomy’s members include Jaime Piatt, Rebekah Beeson, Justin Winnington, and Vinny D’Occhio. FFA members who competed in Forestry are Alisha Beckford, Krupa Patel, Krystal Shortlidge, and Nirali Patel.  Poultry members include Jessica Piatt, Reneé Poole, and Dariné Howze.Vinny D’Occhio, Alisha Beckford and Jessica Piatt placed first individually for each contest.  Special recognition goes to the Landscaping team, which swept the 1^st four places.  Angelica Montes placed first with other members Ellen Baca, Dylan Oakes and Amber Keen following her place to uphold the gold. The teams were recognized at the state awards breakfast along with FFA member Jessica Heinz, who received a scholarship from the Delaware FFA Foundation.  Jessica will be attending the University of Maryland majoring in landscape design.

The four teams will represent the state of Delaware at the National competition, held in conjunction with the National FFA convention in Indianapolis on October 21-25. The FFA Convention is one of the largest youth conventions in the nation with 53,631 students in attendance last year. The FFA, founded in 1928, is in all fifty states and has over 500,000 active members. It’s mission is to provide premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through Agriscience education.

The Christiana high school FFA was chartered in 1970 and was recognized this past year as the largest chapter in Delaware with 204 members. The program is heavily science based, offering classes in plant and animal science, natural resources and agricultural engineering. According to FFA President Ellen Baca, the FFA provides many opportunities for Christiana high school students—social, educational, leadership, and community service. Nirali Patel, Vice President of the organization feels that the FFA competitions allow her to sharpen her study skills, expand her educational horizons and demonstrate the relevance of her AP science and math classes. Angelica Montes noted that 13 of the 16 members are members of Christiana’s National Honor Society and that many members are also involved in sports, band and other school activities.

We are looking forward to a successful National competition and another eventful year!!

Submitted by Ellen Bacca, FFA President

Ronald McDonald^® and representatives of Bike Line Corporation, McDonald's^® Restaurants
of the Greater Philadelphia Region, and the Newark Police Department met with more than 1,600
students while visiting McVey, West Park and Downes elementary schools.  McDonald's Restaurants
of the Greater Philadelphia Region donated $1,000 to each elementary school's physical education
department as part of a four-city "Tour de Fitness."  Also pictured are McVey Elementary School principal Heather Bordas (third from left); Superintendent Lowery (fourth from left); McVey Physical Education
teacher Mike James (fifth from left) and Asst. Superintendent Dan Cruce (sixth from left).