• Local Stories

    • Forestry team takes first place at FFA CDE

    June 17, 2015

    The Pocahontas County High School Forestry team, led by teacher Scott Garber, center, placed first at the FFA Career Development Event in Morgantown. From left, Makayla Marks, Melissa Murphy, Michelle Murphy and Caleb Bennett. Photo courtesy of Melissa Ferrell, Country Roads Photography
    The Pocahontas County High School Forestry team, led by teacher Scott Garber, center, placed first at the FFA Career Development Event in Morgantown. From left, Makayla Marks, Melissa Murphy, Michelle Murphy and Caleb Bennett. Photo courtesy of Melissa Ferrell, Country Roads Photography

    The 2015 Pocahontas County Forestry Team placed first at the State FFA Career Development Event (CDE) event June 2 through 4 in Morgantown. In addition Makayla Marks took first place in individual competition and Caleb Bennett placed second.
    The strength of the team is ‘the team,’” Forestry teacher Scott Garber said. “It took all four individuals to win this contest.  They worked extremely hard and stepped up their already high commitment. Saying they hit their stride would be an understatement. They improved scores each and every practice in the  two weeks leading up to the competition. That says a lot about the character of these four teammates, improving like this in the midst of graduation, sports, banquets, testing and getting ready for finals.”
    Garber said he is extremely proud of the students.
    The PCHS Forestry class has had a very successful program over the last 20 years. This is the 17th State FFA Championship as well as the 17th #1 individual out of the 20 contests that have been entered. “There were some program firsts with the team this year,” Garber said. “First time in our history that there were three girls on the team and the first time that a girl was #1 individual.
    The Team members are  Makayla Marks, Caleb Bennett, Melissa Murphy and Michelle Murphy. 
    The team is now preparing for the National Competition which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, in October.

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