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The Thorsby FFA Chapter on stage at the annual FFA awards banquet on May 2. (TERESA GREEN | CONTRIBUTED)

Jadon Green, right, the top-scoring individual at the state competition in Agricultural Sales last year. (TERESA GREEN | CONTRIBUTED)

The 2024-2025 Thorsby Veterinary Science of Ava Robinson, left, Ella Brassfield, Abdul Elkhatib, Chelsea Crumpton and Hannah Blevins team recognized at the awards banquet. (TERESA GREEN | CONTRIBUTED)

Thorsby FFA President Ava Robinson, left, Vice President Lilly Smith, Secretary Brock Johnson, Treasurer Brett McCluskey, Sentinel Chesnee Dewitt and Reporter Easter Robinson. (TERESA GREEN | CONTRIBUTED)

Thorsby FFA Advisor Brian Lucas, left, recognized Brady Mims, member of the 2023-2024 Forestry Team. (TERESA GREEN | CONTRIBUTED)

Hannah Grace Childress, left, honors Paisley Kendrick and Claire Smith, members of the Thorsby Dairy Judging Team. (TERESA GREEN | CONTRIBUTED)

The 2024-2025 Thorsby Meats Evaluation Team of Brett McCluskey, left, Chesenee DeWitt, Elizabeth Cochran, Easton Robinson, PresleyRaye Knighton, Madison Hammock and Shelby Price. (TERESA GREEN | CONTRIBUTED)

The Thorsby 2024-2025 Poultry Evaluation Team of Mary Leigh Williams, left, Madison Hammock, Brock Johnson and Lilly Smith. (TERESA GREEN | CONTRIBUTED)

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Thorsby High School held its annual FFA awards banquet on May 2 that recognized the school’s FFA students and their achievements throughout the last year. Held at the Jemison Municipal Complex, Thorsby FFA Advisor Brian Lucas was joined by Chilton County Schools Career Tech Supervisor Dr. Shannon Walker, Thorsby FFA chapter members and their families to celebrate the school’s continued FFA success.

The Meats Evaluation Team of Brock Johnson, Mesha Mims, Tori Mims and Lilly Smith were recognized for becoming the first Alabama Meats Evaluation Team to win gold at the National FFA Convention & Expo this past November in Indianapolis. The team also maintained the school’s state championship winning streak, winning the last 10 state titles in the Meats Evaluation at the Alabama FFA state competition.

The Thorsby Poultry Evaluation Team of Elizabeth Cochran, Lexi Crowe, PresleyRaye Knighton and Ava Robinson were honored for their top 10 finish at the national competition. By doing so, they earned an all-expense-paid trip to the International Poultry Processing Expo in Atlanta where they met with poultry industry leaders from around the world.

Lucas recognized individuals and teams for their state competition accomplishments as well, such as Jadon Green winning the individual state title in Agricultural Sale, the Veterinary Science Team placing second and the Forestry Team placing third.

The 2024 teams from Thorsby’s FFA program that qualified for the state competition this summer in Auburn were recognized — Land Judging, Meats Evaluation, Poultry Evaluation and Veterinary Science. Lucas commented on the significance of the titles, and pointed out that the competition does not have classifications like sports. It is one competition, and he commended the students for achieving these feats with limited resources, and competing against larger schools with more resources at their disposal.

Lastly, Lucas thanked near Mississippi State University graduate Hannah Grace Childress for her role as the program’s student teacher during the spring semester. The Thorsby FFA students recognized Teresa Green for her 10 years of service to the Thorsby FFA program with a plaque on behalf of the students and the program.

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