Katy ISD High Schools Win at State FFA Competition

By George Slaughter

Three Katy Independent School District high schools—Cinco Ranch, Katy, and Taylor—have received 17 recognitions after participating in recent Future Farmers of America (FFA) leadership development events.

The Katy High School FFA won the Overall Sweepstakes Award.

“These competitions make agricultural science instruction come to life,” Ashlee Laird, a career and technology instructional specialist, said. “They create situations for our FFA students to demonstrate their abilities in public speaking, decision making, communication, and their knowledge of agriculture and the FFA organization.”

State contest results include:

Cinco Ranch High School

  • Top 24 for Senior Farm Skills
  • Top 24 for Public Relations
  • Top 24 for Agricultural Issues

Katy High School

  • State Champions in Chapter Agricultural Quiz
  • Third for Public Relations
  • Fourth for Agriculture Advocacy
  • Fourth for Agricultural Issues
  • Fifth for Junior Agricultural Quiz
  • Seventh for Radio Broadcasting
  • Ninth for Senior Creed Speaking
  • Ninth for Junior Chapter Conducting
  • Top 24 for Senior Chapter Conducting

Taylor High School

  • Fifth for FFA Radio Broadcasting
  • Fifth for Senior Farm Skills
  • Seventh for Senior Chapter Conducting
  • Seventh for Agricultural Advocacy
  • Top 24 for Junior FFA Creed Speaking

The district enjoys one of the top FFA programs in Texas, with several state wins for leadership and career development events teams. Last month the board of trustees renamed the district’s Agricultural Sciences Center to honor Gary Vos, a longtime agricultural sciences teacher. The center is now called the Gary A. Vos Project Center.