The Hopkins FFA Demonstration Team of Lexie Wilson, MaKenna Davis and Laura Velderman Friday won the state championship in the FFA Leadership contest at the Wharton Center at Michigan State University.

Meanwhile, the Hopkins Ag Issues team of Rachael Velderman, Ashley Rodenheiser and Megan Heft earned runners-up honors at the leadership contest.

The Hopkins Demo threesome, all freshmen and sophomores, Thursday advanced to the finals in the competition against Montague and was announced as the winner Friday afternoon..

Samantha Modreske also won a silver award in the Greenhand Speaking category.

Hopkins FFA Advisor Jessica Couch said, “I couldn’t be prouder of all of my girls! Everyone did an outstanding job today! All of of my speakers nailed their presentations and while they didn’t meet their goal of making top three, competition was tough and I still couldn’t be prouder!

“Watching these kids grow, learn, and make memories is what this job (FFA advisor) is all about!”

At the junior high level, Mariah Marvin received a seventh place silver award in Creed Speaking, Bailey Crouch was fourth and Vanessa Veld placed with a silver in JH Speaking.

“The (junior high) girls were a little bummed with the results, but we learned a valuable lesson about the lessons learned and memories made are a lot more important than the placing,” Crouch said.

PHOTO: The Hopkins FFA state champion Demonstration Team of (from left) McKenna Davies, Lexie Wilson and Laura Velderman, with advisor Jessica Crouch.

The state runner-up Ag Issues Team of (from left) Rachael Velderman, Ashley Rodenheiser and Megan Heft.

Hopkins FFA Greenhand Speaker Sam Modreske.

(All photos courtesy of Hopkins FFA)