A Botetourt County 4-H member earned a top-10 finish at a national FFA competition after winning a state title in July.
Addison Kelly placed first in the State FFA Dairy Handlers Career Development Event July 30 at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg. The competition was held as part of the Virginia Dairy Youth Field Day, which also included the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest and a mock FFA Dairy Judging Contest.
Kelly’s first-place finish earned her the opportunity to represent Virginia at the FFA Dairy Cattle Handlers competition at The Big E in Massachusetts.
“Addison has been excelling across several clubs and competitions, and recently attended a national competition where she did very well,” Botetourt 4-H Extension Agent Tyler Painter said.
The Eastern Regional FFA Contest was held Sept. 18-19 at the Eastern States Exposition as part of The Big E. The annual event features more than 20 career development contests, bringing together high school students from across the Northeast to demonstrate their agricultural skills.
Kelly competed in the FFA Dairy Cattle Handlers competition Sept. 19 and placed 10th.
She was the only student from Botetourt County to qualify for any of the competitions at The Big E this year, according to her mother, Ashley Kelly.
Kelly represented Botetourt County and local FFA and 4-H programs on a national stage.
“It was a huge accomplishment and such an honor to represent Botetourt and our local FFA groups,” Ashley Kelly said.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
