Edwardsville High School Student Wins Dairy Judging Award

EDWARDSVILLE - An Edwardsville High School freshman is gaining recognition for placing first in a recent dairy judging competition.

Jemma Dorsey’s first competition proved successful when she walked away with the highest score in a pool of over 100 competitors from local high schools. Dorsey explained that she is interested in livestock judging, so she decided to take the leap and compete in a dairy judging competition. She is pleased with her results.

“I did my best,” she said. “I’m glad that trying and working hard paid off. And I'm glad that I could represent our school and our FFA chapter.”

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization supports high school agriculture programs through events like this. Edwardsville High School’s agriculture program and FFA chapter are growing under the leadership of new teacher Joey Birrittier, who added that Dorsey’s win is the equivalent of a sectional win in a sports competition and “a pretty big deal.”

Dorsey decided to join FFA because she wants to take over her family farm one day. She is passionate about the livestock she works with and was eager to learn more about them, which triggered her interest in dairy judging.

For several weeks, Dorsey worked with Birrittier to learn more about dairy cows. She learned how to evaluate the cows’ mammary systems and udders while making sure the cows “produce the best they can and also look pretty while they’re at it.”

“You ain’t swagging if you’re sagging,” she shared as a way to memorialize important parts of the udder structure.

The contest, held in Greenville, featured over 100 competitors, including many upperclassmen who have been participating in dairy judging for years. Dorsey is excited that she came out on top.

Looking ahead, Dorsey and her friend Macie Wilkinson are working to memorize the FFA Creed for another competition, where they will be asked to answer questions about the Creed and “why we believe in the future of agriculture,” Dorsey said. The two have been preparing for this public speaking competition for several weeks.

They will also participate in Ag Legislative Day, where they will meet with state legislators in Springfield and learn more about state government while advocating for agriculture.

Dorsey noted that she is proud to be a part of Edwardsville’s agriculture program, and she hopes to see the FFA continue to grow. She encourages all students to consider joining them.

“I think it's been really captivating and inspiring how the program has evolved and changed so quickly and how it's gotten so much better than it has been in the past few years,” she added. “You don't have to be a farmer to be a part of ag. You can really be a part of the future of agriculture.”

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