2020 New Mexico State Fair Awards PUBLIC SPEAKING AWARDS JUNIOR CATEGORY The Texico FFA dominated the public speaking contest! A big tip of the hat to the Texico FFA teacher, Chris Flanagan. Another to LoraLee Hunt for providing a tremendous amount of support to these kids! Grand Champ – Remington Hunt, representing Texico FFA. Remington wins a $500 Scholarship to NMSU College of ACES Sponsored by New Mexico Stockman magazine and $100 cash from New Mexico State Fair. Remington’s speech focused on the trials and tribulations faced by historic New Mexico ranches and applied those lessons to dealing with Covid-19 and to thinking about how ranchers in 2020 can develop new markets and new resources. Remington’s parents are Mack and Loralee Hunt. Reserve Champ – Elizabeth Elam, representing Texico FFA Liz wins a $250 Scholarship to NMSU College of ACES Sponsored by Ag New Mexico Farm Credit and $50 cash from
Monet Hunt Senior Champion
New Mexico State Fair. Liz’s speech was over the importance of bees. She chose the topic because one day a fact popped up on her phone stating that if bees were to go extinct right now, we would all have less than 6 months to live. That made her wonder, “How does my life depend on an insect?” She wanted to thank her ag teacher, Mr.Flanagan and Loralee Hunt! “They have been nothing but supportive to me and helping me with this speech every step of the way. I would not be able to do this without them.” Honorable Mention in third place – Zia Miller representing Dona Ana County 4-H SENIOR CATEGORY Senior Category Grand Champ – Monet Hunt, representing Texico FFA Monet wins a $1,000 Scholarship to NMSU College of ACES Sponsored by New Mexico Beef Council and $100 cash from New Mexico State Fair “My speech was about a genetic editing tool known as CRISPER-CAS 9. I choose this topic because it is a new innovative technology that can change the game for all agriculture producers.” Monet’s favorite thing about competing in this contest was learning new information and sharing it with other agriculturalists. Her parents are
Remington Hunt Junior Champion
Mack and Loralee Hunt. She thanked her mom, “My mom was a huge help in preparing me for not only this speech, but with all my others through-out my high school career. I would also like to thank my Ag teacher for encouraging me and asking me all the crazy ag teacher questions.” Reserve Champ - Ridley Timberlake, also representing Texico FFA Ridley wins a $500 Scholarship to NMSU College of ACES Sponsored by New Mexico Beef Council and $50 cash from New Mexico State Fair. Ridley spoke about the impact of acidosis in cattle. She said, “This topic hits home with me because it is what my dad does for a living. For the past 10 years I have watched him build a company from the ground up with his colleague. I have been surrounded by it by my entire life.” Her parents are Monroe and DeeRae Timberlake. Honorable Mention in third place – Serenity Leal – representing Centennial FFA spoke about the need to teach ag in middle school. A huge thank you goes out to all the sponsor and supporters that made the first year for these contests a tremendous success! We can’t wait to see everyone again next year!
Ridley Timberlake Senior Reserve Champion
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Elizabeth Elam Junior Reserve Champion
Thanks to These Sponsors
Thanks to New Mexico State University College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences for providing winners with fully tooled leather banners from Scott Thomas Saddles!
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