By Nick Boyett
This year’s Corcoran FFA Cotton Judging Team has found success multiple times this judging season, including a second place finish at Corcoran’s competition.
Corcoran FFA hosted its annual cotton contest on October 20. After having to host the competition virtually last year, students and advisors were equally excited to be in person for this year’s cotton contest. Monache High School FFA Advisor Frank Roche said, “The online competitions last year served their purpose, but nothing compares to an in-person contest. An in-person contest does amazing things for relationship building, developing speaking skills and learning industry standards. The students’ enthusiasm was amazing to witness.”
For each Cotton Judging Contest, students are tasked with doing a written test and judging four physical samples each of Bolls, Plants, Seeds and Lint. This year’s plants and bolls used for judging were collected from Hansen Ranches.
At the Corcoran Cotton Contest, Corcoran’s A Team, consisting of Melody Cavasos, Misty Gomez, Fernando Muro and Molly Saenz placed Second for Top Team. Misty Gomez also placed Fourth for Top Individual overall, Fourth in Sub Category Lint, Third in Sub Category Seeds and Fourth on the written test. Fernando Muro placed Third individual on the written test. Molly Saenz placed Fifth in Sub Category Lint. Melody Cavasos placed Sixth in Sub Category Lint.
Misty Gomez said, “I had a blast at the Corcoran contest. Placing Second Top Team and Fourth Top Individual is one of my most proud moments on the cotton team. I cannot wait to see what this team can accomplish in the future.”
On Thursday, November 4, Corcoran FFA attended Sierra Pacific’s Cotton Contest in Hanford. Corcoran’s A Team, consisting of Misty Gomez, Tyler Gonzalez, Fernando Muro and Jedi Solis placed Third for top team. Cotton judging team Co-Advisor Dory Pearce said, “It was very rewarding to see the A team place in “Top Team” two contests in a row. It is evident that all the after school practice hours are paying off.” Corcoran’s B Team, consisting of Melody Cavasos, Keiarra McCarty and Molly Saenz finished in 5th place for Top B Team. Keiarra McCarty placed Second in Sub Category Bolls and Fifth in Sub Category Seeds. Molly Saenz placed First in Sub Category Bolls with a perfect score of 100 points.
Molly Saenz said, “This was my first year doing cotton judging. I was very excited to get a perfect score on Bolls at the Hanford contest. I made a lot of great memories and tons of new friends. I look forward to being on the team again next year.”
Corcoran’s cotton judging teams headed to the State Finals at Fresno State on November 6. While Corcoran’s A team was kept out of Top Team placings, they did find success in the Sub Categories. Corcoran’s A Team consisting of Misty Gomez, Tyler Gonzalez and Molly Saenz placed Fifth in Sub Category Bolls and Third in Sub Category Lint. Corcoran’s B Team, consisting of Melody Cavasos, Keiarra McCarty and Jedi Solis, Placed Fifth for Top Team. In addition they placed Fourth in Sub Category Plants, Fourth Sub Category bolls and Fifth Sub Category Written Exam. Melody Cavasos individually placed fifth on the exam.
FFA advisor and Cotton Team Co-Advisor Dustin Newby said, “I am happy with all the success this team has found over our short season. Although we were hoping for a better result at state, these students should be proud of everything they have accomplished. We have a lot of young members on the team and I look forward to what they will be able to do next year.”
