Cashmere FFA wins national milk quality title, three teams place in top five

CASHMERE — Cashmere FFA returned from the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis with $5,300 in scholarships and three top-five finishes, highlighted by a national championship in Milk Quality & Products.

Sixteen members represented Washington in four Career Development Event contests on Oct. 25, including Milk Quality & Products, Environmental Natural Resources, Meats Evaluation, and Food Science.

The Milk Quality team claimed first place out of 43 teams, marking the first national title in the contest for Washington State. Team members Gloria Smith, Jair Naranjo, Addy Burger, and Vanessa Oropeza excelled in identifying cheeses, milk quality defects, conducting California Mastitis Tests, and evaluating bulk milk data. Gloria Smith placed fourth individually, while Naranjo, Burger, and Oropeza earned Gold recognition and $1,000 each.

Cashmere’s Environmental Natural Resources team finished third among 43 teams. Members Adi Poole and Abigail Kim placed second and fourth individually, earning $900 and $400, respectively. Teammates Finn Smith and Marshall Pell were recognized with Gold awards. The team’s preparation included environmental science testing, water and soil evaluations, GPS navigation exercises, and tours with Purdue University’s Soil Science Department and the Natural Resources Department’s vertebrate museum.

The Meats Evaluation team placed fifth out of 42 teams, with Jacob Holladay achieving a perfect retail identification score, one of only five out of 168 competitors. Sophie Hill, Holladay, and Paige Dart earned Gold, while Aleida Nolasco earned Silver. The team prepared by grading beef carcasses, identifying meat cuts, and visiting meat science labs at Washington State University, Ohio State University, and Purdue University.

Cashmere’s Food Science team placed 13th out of 38 teams, narrowly missing a Gold emblem by two points. Team members Addie Talley and Logan Potter earned Gold, while Madisyn Stoffel and Dayami Najar earned Silver. The team prepared by taking a 50-question exam, performing food calculations and sensory tests, and developing a product based on a market scenario, with visits to Aplets & Cotlets and Park 100 Foods in Indiana.

In total, 13 of Cashmere’s 16 competitors finished in the Gold Tier, ranking in the top one-third of all individual competitors. Two teams qualified for the “Final Four” recognition at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“We would like to send a big thank you to our Booster Club and our Community for all of the financial assistance,” Cashmere FFA advisor Rusty Finch said. “We would also like to thank Jade Jaspers and Julie Neil for the countless hours of coaching and assistance throughout the fall.”

Cashmere FFA National Teams and Achievements:

Milk Quality & Products – National Champions (43 Teams) – $1,000 each

• Gloria Smith – 4th Individual
  
  
• Jair Naranjo – Gold
  
  
• Addy Burger – Gold
  
  
• Vanessa Oropeza – Gold
  
  

Environmental Natural Resources – 3rd of 43 Teams

• Adi Poole – 2nd Individual, $900
  
  
• Abigail Kim – 4th Individual, $400
  
  
• Finn Smith – Gold
  
  
• Marshall Pell – Gold
  
  

Meats Evaluation – 5th of 42 Teams

• Sophie Hill – Gold
  
  
• Jacob Holladay – Gold
  
  
• Paige Dart – Gold
  
  
• Aleida Nolasco – Silver
  
  

Food Science – 13th of 38 Teams

• Addie Talley – Gold
  
  
• Logan Potter – Gold
  
  
• Madisyn Stoffel – Silver
  
  
• Dayami Najar – Silver