Texas Border Business
By Perla Cortez, Mission CISD Public Relations Intern (MHS)
MISSION, Texas- The Mission High School Future Farmers of America program brought home the bacon recently after successfully participating in the Citrus Valley District FFA Livestock Show on Jan.13-14 in Mercedes, TX.
During the competition, students had the opportunity to showcase how they’ve trained and cared for their animal as judges examine their pig, lamb, goat and heifer’s weight, muscle and posture. A heifer is an immature female cow that has not had any offspring. She becomes a cow after giving birth to her first calf.
Mission High School FFA Head Teacher Benito Garza, who has been part of the teaching department for more than 15 years, said that FFA not only offers students personal growth opportunities, but also provides skills they can use in their future careers, such as responsibility, time management and leadership experience.
“They did extremely well representing our school because not only did they get out there and participate, but several also helped host the event, ” Garza said.
Though Mission High School senior Jasmin Rodriguez joined FFA her junior year, her experience this semester made her wish she could have experienced sooner. During the competition on Thursday, Rodriguez’s pig Peaches was named Grand Champion.
“I didn’t believe it at first but I felt proud of Peaches,” said Rodriguez, who now hopes to pursue a career in agriculture after her positive experience in the program.“If it weren’t for FFA, I most likely would not attend college or have a clear path for my career. It saved me.”
For 12th grade student Yanira Gonzalez, learning about how to responsibly care for an animal during her last year in high school is making her consider pursuing a career as an FFA teacher.
“It’s a big responsibility and it takes a lot of your time, but with Bob, I learned how to improve my time management,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez’s pig Bob was named Reserve Champion in the pig category.
While many of the students met for the first time this year, their experience participating in events like the Citrus Valley District FFA Livestock Show have strengthened their bonds with not only their pigs, but with each other.
Congratulations to the following students and their teachers for earning awards during the two-day competition:
Jan. 13, 2022
- Damaris De La Garza, 2nd place Duroc Category
- Yanira Gonzalez, 2nd place & Reserve Breed Champion Market Duroc Category
- Jonas Martinez, 6th place Hampshire Category
- Javier Martinez, 3rd place Hampshire Category
- Javier Martinez, 1st place Hampshire Category
- Jaime Martinez, 3rd place Hampshire Category
- Adilenne Hernandez, 3rd place Hampshire Category
- Jerry Escobedo, 6th place Hampshire Category
- Jaime Martinez, 2nd place Dark OPB Category
- Jonas Martinez, 3rd place Dark OPB Category
- Kaitlyn Cortez, 4th place Dark OPB Category
- Alanna Martinez, 6th place Dark OPB Category
- Jasmin Rodriguez, 1st place, Breed Champion & Overall Grand Champion Market Hog Category
- Danny Garza 6th place Dark Cross Category
- Alexis Mares 1st place and Breed Champion York Gilt Category
Jan. 14, 2022
- Kayla Garza, Reserve Breed Champion Beefmaster Heifer Category
- Caleb Marquez, Reserve Breed Champion Southdown Lamb Category
- Lesly Flores, Reserve Read Champion Fine Wool Lamb Category
- Benny Garza Jr,. Second-Place Fine Wool Lamb Category
- David Delgado, 4th Place Medium Wool Lamb Category
- Mia Garcia, 1st Place Breeding Goat Category
- Benny Garza Jr,. 2nd Place Breeding Goat Category
- Benny Garza Jr., 1st Place Market Goat Category
- Damaris De La Garza, 4th Place Market Goat Category
- Angel De La Garza, 5th Place Market Goat Category
- Jazmin Rodriguez, 4th Place Market Goat Category
