It’d be safe to say that Marietta High School’s Ag Mechanics class has the market cornered on excellence. Marietta FFA students just brought home another title from the Tulsa State Fair, only weeks after winning a championship at the Oklahoma City State Fair. They’re racking up the trophies. Advisor Josh Bazor’s group has won a handful of consecutive titles at both Tulsa and OKC.
Their tally now includes wins at Tulsa in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021, and Oklahoma City in 2018, 2019, and 2020. And before you ask, due to the pandemic, there were no fairs in 2020. Not bad, huh?
“I am so proud of the accomplishments of my students,” Bazor said. “Many schools from the northeastern part of the state who don’t compete at Oklahoma City bring their projects to Tulsa, so this creates an entirely different set of competitors exhibiting their projects. Sometimes my kids don’t think their projects are that good, so winning these contests is a big confidence builder for them.”
State winners include Brayden Henson, coat rack and Devon Smith, material roller. State runners-up were Allison Hicks, receiver hitch; Tate Kelley, saddle rack; Kimberlynn Sheppard, coat rack; and Gracelynn Rodriguez, address sign.
Other placings included:
- Pickup accessories: Mandy Sykora, third, and Kyler Williams, fifth
- Livestock Production: Hunter Roe, third
- Farmstead Improvement: Tate Kelley, sixth, and Cade Scarbrough, seventh
- Hobby/Recreation: Jessica Bates, sixth, Gracelynn Rodriguez, seventh, Noah McMillin, eighth, and Mario Pena, ninth
- Patio Cookers: Cody Hicks, eighth, and Don Withers, ninth
- Outdoor Furniture: Eden Castor, fifth, and Jared Kaminski, sixth
- Small Decorative: Brianna Robles, ninth
- Large Decorative: Kadence Bazor, fifth
Competition at Tulsa was strong, but Marietta’s students brought their A-game.
“I was surprised that I had done so well in such tough competition,” said Sheppard. “It has increased my confidence for the next show.”
For Rodriguez, it was her first year to compete at the state fairs.
“I’m proud of my accomplishment and excited to compete at OYE this coming spring,” she said. “This year I’ve chosen to construct a large decorative project with a water feature.”
That’s what Ag Mechanics competition is all about – upping your game for the next year.
“I enjoy doing this because it allows my creative ideas to come alive in a project,” explained Henson.
After two huge wins this season, Bazor’s kids are back to the drawing board, working on next year’s projects. The challenge is to do it bigger and better for next year. Oh, and winning another state championship wouldn’t hurt either.