By: Grace Page and Stephanie Loring
The State Fair of Virginia was held Sept. 24 to Oct. 3 in Doswell, Va. at the Meadow Event Park. Every year, the fair is filled with fun rides, funnel cake, and an assortment of vendors, but the best part would undeniably be on the other side of the bridge, where the youth agricultural events are held.
This year the C.L. Payne FFA chapter of Liberty High School sent 23 students to compete in various competitions. On September 24th, Meredith Day, Salem Sifford, Hannah Tonkin, and Hannah Winegardner competed in the Jr. Dairymen’s contest and placed 9th out of all teams. Sophomore member Nathan Hoosier placed 8th on the same day in the Lawn Tractor Operators Competition. The Forestry Field Day Event was held on September 27th. The following students competed: Hunter Bean, Andrew Bowers, Justin Bowers, Parker Curtis, Mauricio Guerrero, Noah Hall, Austin Mawyer, Joseph Medina, Cody Owens, Eddie Rodman, Austin Tate, and Bristen Umberger. The junior team placed 7th overall and the senior team placed 10th.
Meredith Day and Grace Page participated in the Horticulture Demonstration contest on September 28. They demonstrated how to make Fabulous Fried Apples and brought home the blue with their fantastic demonstration. On September 29th, freshman Aly Ryman blew the judges away with her Jr. Agriscience Demonstration on cat grooming and won her own blue ribbon. That same day, Salem Sifford won 1st place with her outstanding Sr. Agriscience Demonstration on how to churn butter.
Oct. 1 was the Hippology team’s time to shine, with Lizzy Bosarge, Kylie Cussins, Grace Page, and Kyndal Waln placing fifth overall and Grace placing sixth individually. The C.L. Payne FFA Chapter is advised by Mrs. Erin Burton, Mrs. Miranda Locuratolo, and Mrs. Stephanie Loring. “This has been one of the best state fairs since I began teaching 14 years ago,” said Mrs. Loring. “I am so proud of these guys and cannot wait to see how they continue to grow and excel over the next year.”
