Five Riverton Parke FFA members traveled to Denver, Colorado on January 3rd, 2024 to compete in the Western National Roundup Livestock Quiz Bowl Contest. Sarah Brown, Jack Harrah, Emily Adams, and Sophie Sanders placed first in the FFA State Livestock Skillathon Contest in October of 2023 and qualified to compete in this national contest in Denver, Colorado. The Riverton Parke FFA team represented Indiana FFA and placed 7th in the national contest.
These Riverton Parke FFA members competed in the Livestock Quiz Bowl Contest. For this contest, four students compete head-to-head with another state in three phases. Phase one is one-on-one questions directed to students sitting in corresponding seats from each team. Phase two is team questions where each team is allowed to discuss the question before stating their answer. Phase three is the toss-up round where any student can answer the question. The quiz bowl contest is double elimination. The team was coached by FFA advisor, Michaela Woods. Micah Humphreys, FFA advisor, also traveled with the team to Denver.
The Western National Roundup is a place where youth compete nationally while encouraging teamwork and self-confidence, and focusing on the 4-H mission mandates: science, engineering, technology, mathematics, healthy living and citizenship. Over 1,000 attendees compete in multiple categories at the Annual Western National Roundup which is held each January in correspondence with the National Western Stock Show. Contest members can qualify in categories including Livestock Quiz Bowl, Livestock Judging, Horse Judging, Parliamentary Procedures, Meat Judging, and more.
While in Denver, the FFA members also got to enjoy some sight-seeing. They had the opportunity to experience Red Rocks Amphitheater, Union Station, Denver Downtown Aquarium, and the National Western Stock Show. They watched the kick-off parade in downtown Denver for the National Western Stock Show and attended the opening day of the National Western Stock Show where they watched the mini Hereford and sheep shows and experienced the trade show.
Pictured at the Western National Roundup Awards reception include, from left: Michaela Woods (FFA Advisor and Coach), Katilynn Koch, Sophie Sanders, Emily Adams, Sarah Brown, and Jack Harrah.