Ash Grove FFA Ag Mechanics team honored

Last April, the Ash Grove FFA Agricultural Mechanics and Systems Technology team, consisting of William Lampley, Daniel Elliott, Dillon Magers and Wyatt Stubblefield, went to state competition at the Missouri FFA Convention in Columbia, where they placed second overall in the Agricultural Mechanics and Systems Technology Career Development event. On Thursday, Dec, 19, the team was honored with a special proclamation, which was presented to them by Missouri Senator Eric Burlison at an assembly in the Ash Grove High School gymnasium.
“Not only have these guys endeavored to be part of what is the greatest economic (endeavor) of this state,” Burlison said during the assembly, “but what they do is working towards the future of farming; ag engineering, mechanical work. As farming evolves, we’re going to need smart young minds like this to transition into the next century of farming and agriculture.”
Burlison also highlighted the team’s accomplishments in competition. In addition to placing second at state, the team also placed third in district competition, during which Lampley was named the top ag mechanics student in southwest Missouri. Also, Elliott and Lampley, as Group One individuals, were awarded agricultural college credit with Missouri State University, and the entire team won $24,000 in scholarships to Northwestern Ohio State University.  Governor Mike Parson sent a letter to the team, congratulating them on placing second at the state competition, which Burlison read aloud.
“In order to be able to achieve success in this event, you have demonstrated the skills common to the systems areas, show effective communication skills, and superior problem-solving techniques,” Parson had written. “You have gained an understanding of modern technology and have proven an ability to function as individuals and as team members working together. Your dedication and commitment is to be commended.”
All of the team members were presented with individual framed copies of the proclamation.
After the assembly, Burlison said the team was a credit both to the Ash Grove area and the State of Missouri.
“Ash Grove should be very proud of these young men,” he said. “They are representing not only this area very well, but they are also representing the state very well. They worked very hard to achieve this, and they are the future of agriculture.”
Magers said he was pleased to receive the proclamation.
“I feel surprised and honored, that being part of this team, we get to call this ours. It’s just a very (honorable) thing.”
Stubblefield was also pleasantly surprised by the award.
“I’m very honored that we got this award,” he said. “It’s truly a surprise, honestly. But hard work, it pays off, and it’s just awesome.”
Lampley echoed the same sentiment.
“I’m proud to be able to call these team members my teammates,” he said. “It was a fun contest.”
Nathan Isakson, the FFA advisor, said the ag team’s success was well earned.
“It has been a positive experience working with these young men over the last four years,” he said. “No doubt, each of them brings to the table, personal experiences within the Ag Mechanics field, and it was my honor to add to their knowledge and experiences. These students prepared for the Agriculture Mechanics and Technology Systems Career Development Event for two academic years; often our after-school practices ran until 9 p.m., three days a week, or more. It was very exciting watching this group receive top honors at the many contests that we attended last spring, and of course their second place finish at the 91st Missouri FFA Convention has been one of the highlights of my career.”
 The proclamation was not the only honor announced during the assembly. Prior to Burlison announcing the proclamation, Isakson announced that Lampley had received “prestigious entrance” into the Honors College at University of Missouri, and as a result, had been awarded a full-ride scholarship to MU.

A video of the assembly can be seen on the Ash Grove High School FFA Facebook page.