JVS FFA students heading to vet competition

LOOMINGDALE -- Students in the Future Farmers of America Chapter of the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School will have the opportunity to represent their school in the national FFA Veterinary Science Competition on Sept. 12-15.

For the second year in a row, those in the program will compete, as four students will be attending the event at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Mass.

Known as the Big E, which is the annual agricultural fair celebrates agriculture and offers a variety of fun activities.

Teams from 18 states spanning from Kentucky to Maine to Iowa, will have a chance to demonstrate their veterinary skills in such topics as equipment and breed identification, skills demonstration and written and math exams.

The events will take place Sept. 13, with an awards banquet scheduled for the following evening at the Sheraton Monarch Downtown.

Seniors Katherine Grizzel, Kyleigh Haines, Mya Keenan and Katelyn Cain are taking their first trip to the northeast with instructor and adviser Emily Moore.

The foursome earned a second-place finish during the Ohio FFA competition, which was held in Columbus in April.

The girls explained they were "excited, but nervous" about going to the nationals. Each hoped to represent the school well, since last year's team took fourth place in the competition.

"We will do identification and clinical demonstrations," explained Grizzel, who serves as chapter president.

Keenan stated students have studied in order to prepare for the contests. They also plan to be a part of the fair's events and do a some sightseeing, visiting museums and Six Flags amusement park.

All four said they plan to go into the animal science field after graduation.

"I love animals and have a medical interest," said Grizzel, daughter of Elizabeth Crow of Steubenville and a student at Indian Creek High School. She noted she plans to attend veterinary school.

"I just want to be able to help animals, and it's really interesting to learn about it," added Haines, a Mingo Junction resident and daughter of Chelsey Fish and Chris Haines.

The Indian Creek student hopes to work in the veterinary field.

"I've always had a love for animals and anything science-related, so the two go together well," commented Keenan, daughter of Brooke Goddard of Wintersville and a student at Steubenville High School. Keenan intends to become a vet tech and attend veterinary school, as well.

As for Cain, it was a family affair, as the Bergholz resident is the daughter of Susan Cain and Mike Zatezalo. She hopes to follow in her mother's footsteps, being a veterinarian technician.

"My mom was a vet tech and I also love animals," she said. "I plan to be an intern at a vet clinic and go to vet school, as well as to take courses in equine chiropractic care."

Moore noted she was proud of the group and said while she was familiar with the activities, it was all new to the students. Still, she has plenty of faith in their abilities.

"This is the second time a group has gone," Moore commented. "I am excited and I think they are going to do well. We know what to expect. There may be a few surprises, but they are quick-thinking and great at problem solving."