BASH Horticulture Student Earns 1st Place at FFA Wildlife CDE Competition

[The following article and photo was created by Mrs. Parks, BCTC Outreach Coordinator and reprinted from the Boyertown Area School District digital newsletter, "It Bears Repeating."]

Horticulture student and Boyertown senior Evan Gould earned top honors at the FFA Career Development Events (CDE) competition, capturing 1st Overall in the Wildlife CDE and named 1st in Berks County.

The FFA Career Development Events are designed to test students through a combination of academic knowledge and hands-on practical skills in their chosen field. Each competition required students to complete a written exam followed by a challenging two-hour practical event.

Five additional Horticulture students joined Evan in representing Berks Career and Technology Center at the competition. Four students participated in the Floriculture CDE, while two students, including Evan, competed in the Wildlife CDE.

Students in the Floriculture CDE demonstrated their expertise by identifying plants and floral tools, creating a succulent garden, and designing a floral arrangement under a strict time limit. More than 120 students competed in the Floriculture event, creating a highly competitive field.

Meanwhile, students in the Wildlife CDE tested their knowledge by identifying bird calls, recognizing Pennsylvania mammals and native bird species, and discussing topics related to ecology and the environment. More than 100 students competed in the Wildlife event.

The competition provided students with valuable real-world experiences while allowing them to apply the skills they have developed in the classroom and greenhouse.

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