06/10/2026
Inside Rigby FFA's Winning Tradition
News Release
For Immediate Release
June 10, 2026
Culture of Champions: Inside Rigby FFA’s Winning Tradition
RIGBY — At first glance, it looks like a championship moment: Rigby FFA standing in first place in five Idaho State Career Development Events. But those awards and individual medals only tell part of the story.
Behind the success is something deeper; it is the program’s culture, carefully built, fiercely protected, and earned through years of sacrifice and preparation.
At the 2026 Idaho FFA State Career Development Events, held June 2–5 at the University of Idaho in Moscow, 35 Rigby FFA members competed alongside students from 70 schools. The chapter entered 11 competitive events, capturing five state championships and placing in the top five in 10 events.
Rigby FFA’s success did not happen overnight. It is the product of years of intentional effort. From the first day students enter the program, they are introduced to a clear standard: excellence is expected, and effort is required. Success is not defined by individual achievement alone, but by the strength of the entire team. Across events as varied as Forestry, Dairy Evaluation, and Environmental and Natural Resources, teams train with the same mindset; prepare thoroughly, practice relentlessly, and perform with precision. What the public sees on stage is the result of months of behind-the-scenes work. At Rigby FFA, winning is not the goal, it is the natural outcome of preparation.
Rigby’s five state championship teams highlighted both technical skill and confidence earned through sacrifice. In the Agricultural Communications career development event, students worked as a team of communication consultants, developing a plan following a press conference using writing, broadcasting, design, and social media skills. The team included Braxton Pancheri, who was named state champion broadcast media specialist, Addy Nielson as feature writer, Brylie Spaulding as magazine layout designer, and Ella Dixon, who produced the social media campaign.
In Dairy Cattle Evaluation, participants assessed pedigrees, evaluated live animals, and delivered oral reasons to support their decisions. The championship team included Halle Nicholes and Kalli Smith, who tied for fifth high individuals, along with Keylee Harris and Charlene Rediske.
The Environmental and Natural Resources team earned another state title as members demonstrated their knowledge of soils and wildlife while analyzing environmental conditions. Kash Smith placed second high individually, with Keylee Harris finishing fourth, Grace Barrett fifth, and McKall Campbell contributing to the winning effort.
Rigby’s Forestry team also claimed a championship, showcasing skills in timber cruising, log scaling, compass use, and map interpretation. Rhett Reynolds was named state champion, Blake Jossi in third, Straton Nelson in ninth, and Jasper Wasylow.
The Veterinary Science team rounded out the state titles, demonstrating knowledge in animal anatomy, clinical procedures, and problem-solving scenarios. Avery Oswald earned individual state champion honors, followed by Anna Warner in second, Blake Jossi in third, and Emily Jossi in fourth.
Beyond the championships, Rigby showed remarkable depth across all events. The Livestock Evaluation team earned second place, led by Alice Wilson in third individually and Ella Dixon in eighth, alongside Chyloh Billman and Amaiya Rice. The Agricultural Mechanics team placed third, highlighted by Bry Waddoups, who was the state champion in Tool Identification, Vincent Kisner, who placed fourth in SMAW, Tyson Torngren competing in TIG and Oxy Cutting, and Driggs Bennett in GMAW. The Meats Evaluation team also finished third, with Kailynn Clark placing fourth individually and teammates Cynthia Squires, Tymber Billman, and Halle Nicholes contributing to the result.
Rigby earned two fifth-place finishes, with the Nursery and Landscape team—Tanna Rice, Emily Jossi, Lena Jossi, and Charlene Rediske—and the Food Science team of Evelyn Burt, Addie Mortimer, Mary Bennett, and Declan Mower. The Agronomy team, composed of Cynthia Squires and Michael Lenz, placed tenth while competing as a two-member team.
What truly sets Rigby FFA apart is that its impact extends beyond contests. Students leave the program with more than technical knowledge. They gain confidence, leadership skills, and a work ethic that prepares them for life beyond high school. They learn responsibility, teamwork, and persistence; qualities that carry into future careers and communities. The blue FFA jacket becomes more than a uniform; it becomes a symbol of belonging to something built on effort, integrity, and shared purpose.
Rigby’s five state champion teams in Agricultural Communications, Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Environmental and Natural Resources, Forestry, and Veterinary Science will now continue their preparations to represent Idaho at the National FFA Convention this October in Indianapolis.
At Rigby FFA, championships are not the destination. They are simply the result of a culture that expects its members to rise, prepare, and succeed—together.
The Rigby FFA Environmental Natural Resources team practices testing water quality. Team members L-R: Kash Smith, Keylee Harris, McKall Campbell, and Grace Barrett.
