ACHS FFA Claims 1st Place Overall in Paola

By Kaylee Scheckel & Hayleigh Spears

On Wednesday, January 22nd, Anderson County High School’s FFA students traveled to the Miami County Fairgrounds in Paola, Kansas, for a milk quality contest. They competed against 15 other schools and brought home impressive results.

Anderson County claimed first place overall in every category. In the extras division, the team took the top 17 spots, earning 628 points with a 256-point lead over second place. Both the intermediate and senior divisions also saw Anderson County students claiming the top four spots. The intermediate B team scored 576 points, finishing first with a 157-point lead over Osage City. The senior A team finished first with a 231-point lead over second place.

Sophomore Lucas Mills placed second in the extras division with 219 points. He said his favorite section of the contest was “determining different cheese types.” When asked what could help him do better in the future, he said, “Actually studying for the test.”

Freshman Paislyn Foltz placed 16th in the extras division with 137 points. Her favorite part of the day was “getting food after the contest and enjoying some McDonald’s.” She said that next time she will prepare by “bringing a water bottle of my own so I don’t have to drink Aspyn’s water to get the flavors out of my mouth and I can drink my own water.”

Freshman Ruth Jones placed first overall in the extras division with 231 points. She said her favorite section of the contest was “identifying various off flavors of milk.” When asked what she would do to better prepare next time, she said, “I would get more sleep so I’m not so tired at the next one.”

Anderson County FFA continues to show strong skills in milk quality competitions. Their success highlights the hard work and talent of the students involved, and the team is expected to continue excelling in future contests.