The Oklahoma Youth Expo, held at the State Fair Grounds in Oklahoma City from March 7 through 17, is recognized as the state’s largest youth exposition event. The best and brightest bring their projects to be measured against their peers from all over the state, and this year, Marietta’s FFA Chapter measured up, with several students placing and showing well.
“The number of projects were up 200 this year from across the state, and the quality was just amazing,” said Josh Bazor, Marietta chapter advisor. “The grand prize for ag mechanics projects was a semi-trailer – they’re just getting bigger and better all the time.”
In the ag mechanics projects division, Brody Bazor brought home first place in livestock gates. Wyatt Gwin came in second in the tandem axle trailers division. Avigail Venegas finished third in livestock gates, Schuyler Blevens was third in livestock equipment, and Cade Scarbrough was third in truck beds.
Wyatt Vinson and Juan Lopez were showmanship champions in the machinery division.
The chapter also entered animals in this years expo. Betsey Kate Miller’s Berkshire barrow was the eighth place entry, and in the goat division, Allie Hice finished in ninth and 12th places with her does. In cattle, Maizi Willis’s Simmental heifer was the ninth place entry.
Kixi Meador entered sheep in the contest, placing in her class and sixth overall in Natural and Sale of Champions. She also received a fourth place award in sixth grade showmanship.
Overall, Bazor was more than pleased with his students’ performance in the show.
“I am proud of what the kids accomplished,” he said. “Our projects and quality continue to improve, and we are competitive on the state level. But we are going to keep working to improve and will keep reaching for the bigger prize.”