Heights FFA team earns Reserve Champion title at State, four advance to nationals

Four members of the Hamilton Heights High School’s FFA 2019 Livestock Judging Team will compete in a National competition. (From left) Luke Herr, Lane Slaton, Chase Brennan and Kylie Schakel. (Photo provided)

Hamilton Heights High School’s FFA livestock judging team recently traveled to Purdue University to compete in the annual state livestock judging contest.

Members began judging at 9 a.m. and wrapped up reasons around 4:30 p.m. They judged 12 classes and delivered six sets of reasons. After a long day of judging, Heights placed strong in several categories and advanced to the National Contest.

Heights brought back the Reserve Champion title, coming in second out of 33 teams on the FFA side. In addition, in team competition, Heights earned first Overall Sheep Team, second Overall Beef Team, third Overall Reasons Team and seventh Overall Swine Team.

There were 116 students who competed in individual events. Highlights from Heights’ participants included:

  • Kylie Schakel: Second Overall High Individual – All State Team, ninth Overall Beef Individual, seventh Overall Sheep Individual, and seventh Overall Reasons Individual
  • Luke Herr: 11th Overall Beef Individual, 10th Overall Sheep Individual and 14th Overall Reasons Individual
  • Chase Brennan: Eighth Overall Sheep Individual
  • Lane Slaton: First Overall Sheep Individual