Three Wawasee Students Competing In National Horticulture Contest
SYRACUSE — For the last six years, Wawasee FFA horticulture judging teams have fared well. A Wawasee team won the national horticulture judging contest two years ago and a couple of years prior to that another team competed in the national contest.
This year, the trend continues as Kayla Estrada (sophomore), Gynnae Hochstetler (junior) and Leeann Estrada (senior) will compete nationally in horticulture judging at the National Junior Horticulture Association convention in Erie, Pa., Oct. 7-11.
To qualify for the national contest, the three Wawasee students placed in the top four at the state horticulture contest Sept. 17 at Purdue University. Leeann Estrada placed first, Kayla Estrada placed second and Hochstetler placed fourth.
In Pennsylvania, the trio will be challenged to identify approximately 180 different species of plants. They will also judge different classifications of plants on quality and form for an overall visual appeal. And, third, they will be given a written test.
Also during the national convention they will attend workshops and do some touring.
Other Wawasee FFA horticulture judges who competed at Purdue included Matt Rhodes, Emily Sabin, Connor Grumme, Laurana Perry, Rebecca Bender and Gabe Sidwell.