Twenty-Five members of the Tyrone Area FFA Chapter have made it through the local round of the annual FFA Agriscience Fair and will compete in the state competition at the PA Farm Show in January.

The AgriScience Fair is for middle and high school students enrolled in Agricultural Education programs. The students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels.

The following students will represent the chapter at States: Emma Bartel, Jayden Day-Patterson, Karly Diebold, Elizabeth Buck, Catie Ewing, Claire Fisher, Lyndsey & Lauren Fleck (Team), Maverick Fleck, Hailey Houck, Garin Hoy, Joshua & Nathaniel Patterson (Team), Grace Paterson, Arianna Reader, Kiara Rhoads, Brody Rizzo, Ryan Seeger, Alex shock, Jocelyn Sims, Rayann Walls, Remington Weaver, Jenna Weyer, Jaden Williams, and Jillian Willems.

Senior Jocelyn Sims was one of the students who will move on this year.

“I’m shocked because I mean I did work hard on it, and there were some complications due to the rabbit’s behavior, and me forgetting. But I focused on it step by step. I didn’t think I was going to be good at it. But I’m proud,” said Sims.

Interviews normally take place in January prior to the PA Farm Show starting; however, this year because of a Virtual PA Farm Show, the members submitted written reports at the local level in early December, and 23 were selected and sent to the state coordinator of the PA State FFA AgriScience Fair.

A panel of judges is tasked with scoring the more than 70 reports from various chapters throughout the state. The top five individuals will be notified and have to complete a zoom interview in late December.

“My project was how many hits it would take to break certain sizes of nails. I feel I could change my project a little more to make it better but I am very thankful to be chosen to go to the states and represent the Tyrone Area FFA,” said sophomore Ryan Seeger.

The competition has had to adjust due to the pandemic, but the students and teachers are thankful that it has been able to continue.

“It’s very different this year, and I’m so honored to have 25 students able to participate with 23 projects. The changes in our learning schedules added to the difficulty of completing the AgriScience projects, yet I can clearly see students growing and gaining real-world experiences. Zoom interviews are becoming the norm for companies. All students have been given the opportunity to bid for a spot for the State level competition at Tyrone Area High School Agricultural Education program. They will also be completing a Flipgrid Interview this week to practice their public speaking skills,” said Tyrone FFA Adviser Tiffany Hoy.