FFA Proficiency Applications

Ryggin Meyer, Staff Writer

February 6, 2024

On January 24, 2024, the Alliance FFA Proficiency applications went to districts. Proficiency application is when a FFA member fills out an application that shows development in their Supervised Agriculture Experience. A total of 6 members completed these applications, these members were Seth Meyring, Sutten Parkison, Josie Sanders, Ryggin Meyer, Macy Brooks, and Ashley Carr.
The first interview I did was with Sutten Parkison. Sutten is currently in her third year of FFA, and this is her first year doing a proficiency application! Her proficiency application area was Beef Placement. I asked her what her application was about, Sutten answered, “My application was about my work at Black Ranches, and the tasks that I do at my job there. This includes: gathering and processing cattle, pour-on wormer, ear tagging, vaccinations, and horse and cattle dog work.” Her result was a second-place gold rating and she got state-qualified in it!
My next interviewee was Josie Sanders, who is also in her third year of FFA! Josie’s proficiency area was Sales and Services. I asked if she had ever done this before, Josie told me, “This is the first year that this area has been available, so it is a new learning experience for those applying in this area!” Another question was what her proficiency application is about, she said, “My application was about my leatherwork business, Look West Leather Co. I have been running this business since 2020, and I create custom leatherwork products for customers across the country.” Josie received a gold rating and is state-qualified!
All of the Alliance FFA Proficiency Applications made it to state. On February 23, they go to the state to get judged for the finalists. I wish the Alliance FFA Chapter the best of luck!

Results:

Seth Meyring – Beef Placement (Gold)
Sutten Parkison – Beef Placement (Gold)
Josie Sanders – Sales and Services (Gold)
Ryggin Meyer – Equine Placement (Gold)
Macy Brooks – Home and Occ. Safety (Gold)
Ashley Carr – Outdoor Recreation (Gold)
Ashley Carr – Goat Production (Gold)

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About the Contributor

Ryggin Meyer, Staff writer

Ryggin Meyer is a 15 year old sophomore who attends Alliance High school. She was born in Alliance, Nebraska at Box Butte General Hospital on July 16, 2008. Ryggin has lived in many other towns such as Rapid City, South Dakota and Rushville, Nebraska. The reason she ended up moving was because of her mom. Ryggin is currently in her second year of FFA, last year she did competitions such as CCM (Conduct of Chapter’s Meeting) and Vet Science. She made it to state in CCM and her team got bronze on the state level. A main hobby of Ryggin’s is showing dairy goats, she owns 21 dairy goats! All of her dairy goats are Lanchais, Sable Saanens, and Saanens, this is her first year showing goats by herself. Before Ryggin started showing goats by herself, she’d help her cousin, Bayleigh, showing goats. She has also shown horses, last show she went to Ryggin got Reserve Youth Ranch Champion on a horse named Sugar ‘N Grace. That horse was her aunt Sheri’s but personally she owns 2 horses, Mist who is two years old named Mist, and an eleven year old named Shorty. Ryggin is also in dance, this being her 13th year! She currently does tap, jazz, pointe, and lyrical. Ryggin loves dance and it has always been a true passion of hers since she was young, she can’t wait to see what this dance year brings! When Ryggin isn’t at school, she is helping out on the ranch or playing Roblox. Things that she does on the ranch is train her horses, work with cows, work with her dairy goats, or just lend a helpful hand. Some of the games that Ryggin likes to play epic mini games on roblox. When she finishes high school, she is hoping to go to the University of Wyoming for pre-vet and then Vet school in Colorado. She wants to study in Colorado because it is one of the nations best vet schools. The reason she wants to go to the University of Wyoming is because it has beautiful scenery. Once she graduates vet school, she is hoping to work in Riverton, Wyoming at Stock Dock Veterinary Clinic. Ryggin is wanting to move to Riverton, Wyoming in hopes of making more money. Ryggin is an all A student and hopes to continue this throughout high school. She hopes to improve her writing skills and thinks The SPUD will help with this. Ryggin can not wait to write for The SPUD this school year!