STUDENT SUCCESS
TOP HONORS DAIRY CHALLENGE TEAM TAKES FIRST PLACE IN NATIONAL COMPETITION A team of four Cal Poly students took first place at the 14th annual North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge held April 9-11 in Liverpool, N.Y. The Dairy Challenge is a two-day competition for students representing dairy science programs at North American universities. Students were asked to evaluate an operational New York dairy and develop a farm analysis that included a list of recommendations for nutrition, reproduction, milking procedures, animal health, housing and financial management.
Cal Poly students in San Luis Obispo and Pomana collaborated on “Soaring Stories.”
The Cal Poly team ranked first among eight competing teams that evaluated the same dairy. Cal Poly’s team included: Anthony Alamo of Turlock; Preston Fernandes of Tulare; Amy McBirney of
ROSES TO THE TEAM!
Morgan Hill; and Russell Pate of Visalia.
CAL POLY’S GRIFFIN FLOAT SNAGS ROSE PARADE TROPHY
Dairy science Professor Stan Henderson
For the 53rd time since 1949, the only
included a waterfall with recirculating
student-built float earned special honors
water, the griffin’s wings, a drawbridge,
at the 126th Tournament of Roses Parade
jumping fish, flickering candle flame and a
held New Year’s Day. “Soaring Stories” won
quill. Smith and Do helped with the flowers
the Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy for the
along the top of the book as well as the ink
most beautiful non-commercial float.
quills and the candle.
coached the team. “The challenge was a culmination of all the hard work that we have put into school for the last four years,” said senior Pate. “We took what we have learned and applied it to a real-world situation at a competitive level.” The Cal Poly team advanced to the national competition after a successful performance at the Western Regional Dairy Challenge in Tulare, Calif., in February. “Cal Poly’s success in the Dairy Challenge can be attributed to the knowledge and talent of our students,” said Henderson. “Cal Poly students have won this competition for the past three years, more often than any other university in North America.”
The float was constructed by students
This is the fourth consecutive year
from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and their
that the float has earned the “Californian
counterparts at Cal Poly Pomona.
Grown” designation by the California Cut
“Soaring Stories” depicted a fairytale
Flower Commission. To be so designated,
castle and mythological griffin springing to
at least 85 percent of the flowers and plant
life from the pages of storybooks, reflecting
materials used must come from California.
the parade theme, “Inspiring Stories.” Two floral design students, Kirsten
Lynch said that the chance for her students to participate in creating such
Smith and Sara Do, traveled to Pasadena
large-scale flower arrangements was
with horticulture Professor Melinda Lynch to
priceless, as was the team’s comradery.
assist with the fresh-flower arrangements. In a first for the universities, the back
“Cal Poly has so many alumni who help make the float,” said Lynch. “It makes you
of the float included a wall of living flowers
feel really good to know that Cal Poly is still
instead of cut flowers. Animated elements
in the hearts and souls of our alumni.”
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