The following is a press Release for the Chelan High School Agriculture Education Department and the Chelan FFA. We would appreciate any and all coverage of our events and student successes. For more information, contact our Chapter Advisor, Rod Cool, or Chapter Reporter, Chelsea Gocke at (509) 682-4061 ext 129 during school hours.

Thank you for your time and consideration and for your continued support of the Chelan FFA and high school agriculture education.

Chelan High School

Agriculture Education Department/Chelan FFA

News Release

21 Nov 07

For Immediate Release—For over 25 years, Chelan Fruit facilities have been used to host the District VII FFA Apple Career Development Event, and this year 18 teams representing nine FFA Chapters from Central Washington traveled to Chelan to compete. The FFA Chapters represented included Okanogan, Tonasket, Pateros, Chelan, Manson, Wenatchee, Cashmere, Wahluke, and Othello.

Competitors were evaluated on their performance in nine areas. Fruit Maturity involves pressure testing apples and determining harvest date given bloom date. Entomology involves identifying beneficial and harmful insects and arachnids from photographs or damage. Blemish Identification requires members to look at fruit and determine what type of blemish is on the apple from insect injury, to mechanical injury, to physiological damage.

Variety Identification requires them to identify apple and pear varieties. They have to grade Fuji, Red, and Golden or Granny Smith Apples to industry standards determining Washington Extra Fancy, Washington Fancy, and Cull. Members also have to place trays of Reds and Goldens.

The Chelan FFA was represented by 15 members on three teams. The Chelan 1 team brought home the 2^nd Place banner and was comprised of Tucker Cool, Wesley Field, Dia Galvan, Daneijha Weigel, and Sammi Jo Cool.

The Chelan 2 team placed 5^th and was made up of Ross Young, Johnny Griffith, Zaren Sandum, Chelsea Gocke, and Chantel Neilson. The Chelan 3 team placed 6^th and were made up of Briceida Blanco, Andrew Jones, Zach Sandum and Jorge Villasenor.

Individually, Dia Galvan placed 1^st overall and earned a $500 scholarship from the Lake Chelan Fieldmens’ Association. Sammi Jo Cool placed 7^th.

The Chelan Apple CDE teams will compete at the Washington State FFA Apple CDE on December 5^th in Wenatchee at the Washington State Horticulture Association Annual Meeting.

The Results for the CDE are as follows:

Teams

1^st Wenatchee

2^nd Chelan

3^rd Cashmere

Individuals

1. Dia Galvan Chelan

2. Tallie Mattson Cashmere

3. Ryan Boner Wenatchee

4. Juan Mata Wahluke

5. Megan Heimbecker Wenatchee

6. Katie Lemmons Cashmere

7. Sammi Jo Cool Chelan

8. Rachel Harum Wenatchee

9. Ashley Smith Wenatchee

10. Scott Sweezea Pateros

Photo Caption:

(L to R) Jake Robison, Washington FFA Secretary, Wesley Field, Sammi Jo Cool, Daneijha Weigel, Tucker Cool and Dia Galvan. The 2^nd Place Team from Chelan FFA in the District VII Apple CDE.