A four person team from Sargent will be among those from across the nation competing in floriculture at the National FFA Convention. Melissa Slagle, Eve Kipp, LoReena Schauda, and Carsen Vincent leave for Indianapolis, Indiana on Monday.
Advisor Mike Kozeal and floral coach Jackie Ropers have been alongside the girls as they moved through district, state, and now national competition. The numbers are impressive to say the least.
Ropers told KCNI/KBBN that the team was one of three teams to reach state after competing against more than 800 at the district level. With individual placements all inside the top 20, the girls qualified for state where they competed against more than 200 teams to earn the trip to nationals.
Throughout their time in Indianapolis, the team of four will compete in both individual and team events. An example of a hands-on competition involves creating a bouquet of flowers in 20 minutes, pricing it within 50 cents of $55 of value. Another competition Ropers described involves the creation of a “wearable” flower (corsage, boutonniere, or wrist flower) with time and pricing rules. A team activity replicates a scenario for the team of four, where they must decide an entire plan of action for an event like an open house, baby shower, etc.
Ropers tried to convey her excitement and how proud she is of the girls, explaining that she believes their team of four is only the third team in Sargent FFA history, in any category, to achieve attending national competition.
“It’s the Super Bowl for FFA contests, that’s what I call it,” said Ropers.
