Bear River Agriculture students saw gold at the Sectional Contest.

At at the Sierra Buttes Sectional Contest at Nevada Union High School on February 28, three Bruins took home first place honors: Junior Catharine Renner in Prepared Speaking, junior Julia Yoder in Job Interview, and sophomore Aidan Smith in Impromptu Speaking. Other honors included senior Elizabeth Enke, who took second in Prepared Speaking, senior Jarrod Ferguson, who took third in Extemporaneous Speaking, sophomore Chandler Brown, who took third in Impromptu Speaking, and freshman Chase Lugo, who took third in Creed Speaking.

Ag students worked with their adviser Steve Paasch to prepare for these competitions. As a result, the seven Bear River students placed in the top 4 to qualify to compete at the Superior Region Contest, taking place on March 16th in Chico, Ca.

Smith talked about his experience after competing in the Impromptu Contest.

“I feel happy and trusting in my adviser,” he said. “He helped me accomplish my goal for this contest. Now all I can do is practice for Regionals.”

Yoder was very excited that she placed first in the Job Interview Contest.

“It was very unexpected,” she said. “To prepare, I practiced questions that could possibly be asked by the judges. I was shocked but also excited to compete at Regionals.”

Ferguson placed third in Extemp and said he is very happy to represent Bear River FFA at the Regional Competition.

“It was a great experience and I improved my judgement about the contest and the Ag industry,” he said.

Mr. Paasch said he was very proud of his students and he continues to help them succeed.

“We hope to get 3-to-4 students out of Regions and on to State Finals,” he said. “I will prepare them by making good use of our time and gathering information and research about their topics.”

“Bear River FFA students did phenomenal and it showed, with seven people making it to the next level,” said Ferguson.