The Mount Vernon Future Farmers of America chapter proudly represented their school at the Ohio Expo Center, where six students competed in the Ohio State Small Animal Management and Aquarium Management competitions.

With a team total possible score of 900 points (225 points individually), the Mount Vernon team, consisting of senior Emma Croghan and junior Zeva Sheets, placed 24th in the state with a score of 235.

Students were required to commit to memory a vast array of animal knowledge, including 59 dog breeds, 37 bird species, 36 reptile and amphibian breeds, 15 cat breeds, 16 rodent and miscellaneous breeds, 11 rabbit breeds, and 102 products and feeds associated with these animals.

The competition consisted of two stations: Station 1: Students were tasked with identifying 50 images of various animals and products, including 15 dog breeds, 4 large bird species, 4 small bird species, 6 reptiles and amphibians, 6 cat breeds, 6 rodents, and miscellaneous animals, 3 rabbit breeds, and 6 product and feed types. This station was worth 50 points individually.

Station 2: Competitors were required to complete four hands-on practicums across various categories: rodents and miscellaneous animals, dogs/cats/rabbits, reptiles and amphibians, and birds. For each animal, students demonstrated skills such as proper restraint, sexing, caging requirements, dietary needs, disease evaluation, and treatment recommendations. This station was valued at 100 points individually.

Aquarium Management Competition

In preparation for the aquarium management event, students committed 89 freshwater/brackish water fish species, 45 marine fish and invertebrates, 39 aquarium equipment types, 13 aquarium plants, 6 fish diseases, and 9 fish foods.

With a total possible team score of 800 points (200 points individually), Mount Vernon’s aquarium management team, composed of Colton Stagg, Ava Moore, Bryce Hollenback, and Elena Culletto, placed 21st out of 35 teams with a score of 336.

The competition also featured two stations: Station 1: Students identified 50 specimens, including 25 freshwater/brackish water fish, 7 marine fish/invertebrates, 7 types of aquarium equipment, 5 aquarium plants, 3 fish diseases, and 3 fish foods. This station was worth 50 points individually.

Station 2: Contestants performed four practicums, including water testing, filtration, water exchange and substrate maintenance, feeding, and catching and bagging fish. This station was worth 75 points individually.