Howard County FFA Chapter Earns Numerous Awards At State Convention

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Eight students enrolled in HCPSS’ Agricultural Science Academy and the Howard County FFA Chapter participated in the Maryland FFA Convention this summer, with five of those students earning honors at the convention.

The Howard County FFA Chapter took home the National 3-Star Chapter Award, the highest level of distinction an FFA chapter can achieve within the National FFA Organization. It signifies that the chapter has excelled in its Program of Activities across all three divisions: Growing Leaders, Building Communities and Strengthening Agriculture.

HCPSS Career and Technology Education teacher Kathy Wojcik won the Golden Owl Award, recognizing her as the Maryland agricultural educator of the year. The HCPSS/Howard County team took home a Gold Award and a $225 Scholarship for its “Maryland SpeakAg Video,” showcasing the state’s top agricultural commodities as well as Howard County’s FFA members and their supervised agricultural experiences. The video will be shared at the National FFA Convention. Barb Glenn, HCPSS Agriculture Academy Advisory Board member and ag education advocate, was recognized with an Honorary State FFA Degree.

Other award winners include:

• State Proficiency Awards: Jackson Mansolillo (equine science) and Charlotte King (diversified livestock production)
• State FFA Degrees: Jackson Mansolillo and Charlotte King
• Griffith FFA Scholarship: Charlotte King
• 1st place/Gold Award Talent Performance: Molly Miller
• 1st place/Gold Award Employment Skills Competition: Jackson Mansolillo
• 1st place/Gold Award Livestock Judging: Liam Hartner
• Silver Award Livestock Judging: Natalie Davis