BLOOMINGDALE — Four members of the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School’s FFA Veterinary Science Team headed to Springfield, Mass., and are currently competing in the national event.

Trinity McGilton, Mekenzie Everhart, Madison Brown and Alexis Smith traveled to the commonwealth Thursday for the 2023 FFA Days. Events are being held today through Sunday. Awards will be given Saturday evening.

Emily Moore, JVS animal science management program instructor and chapter adviser, said the group qualified to attend following a second-place finish at the Ohio FFA Veterinary Science Competition in Columbus this spring.

“It starts with an online exam in March and they have to place within the top 150 in Ohio,” Moore explained. “Then we went to the state competition at the end of April.”

Approximately 900 students attended the event to complete demonstrations and showcase their knowledge. A total of 46 teams and 129 students were on hand and the JVS chapter performed admirably with only one week of preparation, ultimately qualifying for the national contest. This week’s activities will take place at the Massachusetts State Fair, which is known as “The Big E,” and Moore said second-place finishers from across the country will be in attendance. Individual and team events will be held with all of the scores later combined for final totals.

“It’s a combination of a written test, a math test, equipment, parasite and breed identification and demonstrating skills. The team competition is to problem solve a veterinary clinic situation,” she commented.

Fundraisers were held to help defray costs for the trip, such as accepting donations during grooming services during a two-week period. She and JVS Supervisor and Principal Andy Long are chaperoning the trip. She noted the students were thrilled to take part.

“They are really excited,” she added. “They also get to spend time at the state fair.” Several of the students agreed. “I’m really excited because the college I’m interested in attending is aware of it,” said McGilton, who is a senior at Catholic Central High School. “It’s very exciting and I’m very nervous.” She added that she hopes to one day work in the veterinary field.

“It’s a very exciting and awesome opportunity,” stated Everhart, who attends Edison High School and plans to become a dog groomer after graduation.

Both say team members have been busy studying and preparing for their turn on the national stage. “Our team is a good team and we all support each other,” said McGilton. “We all worked hard for it,” Everhart concluded.