This month, several students from Dawson County High School represented their county in FFA competitions against other schools. 

Members of Dawson County High School’s chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) competed on Feb. 7 in the North Region FFA Ag Mechanics contest. The contest was a five-part event and consisted of electrical wiring, welding, small engines, team activity and environmental/natural resources. 

The DCHS team, which consisted of Bryce Beach, Carson Branson, Chase Cofield and Troupe Ford, placed third overall. Beach was the second highest scoring individual, and Branson was the third highest scoring individual. 

On Feb. 15, teams from the DCHS FFA group competed in forestry and livestock evaluation. Livestock evaluation consisted of evaluating livestock species, taking a general knowledge exam and giving oral reasons, and the forestry competition included timber stand improvement, compass reading, timber cruising for board foot and tree identification. 

The forestry team included Shandee Stowers, Keifer Pankey, Carson Branson and Connor Mitchell. The team placed sixth overall, and Stowers placed as the eighth highest scoring individual. The livestock team included EmmaGrace Pankey, Cheyenne Simmons, Matthew Hannah and Jessica Barnes. The team placed 13th out of 30 total teams competing. 

Also this month, DCHS FFA members celebrated National FFA Week by hosting Ag Day for elementary school students, participating in dress up days throughout the week, hosting a sock drive for collection for those in need and feeding DCHS faculty and staff with homemade fried apple pies donated by John Reece from BJ Reece Apple House in Ellijay.