No one associated with the Denair FFA will forget the oppressive heat they endured at the 2024 Stanislaus County Fair. The high temperature soared past 100 degrees each day during the fair’s 10-day run, which wrapped up Sunday.
“It was a crazy, hot week,” summed up Denair High ag instructor Roger Christianson.
But for some of Denair’s 21 students who entered animals or projects at the fair, their memories will include more than just the hot weather.
Freshman Makenzie Miguel – competing in her first fair — finished with two first-place market sheep in their classes. She also had Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Ram. She also was a finalist for outstanding exhibitor for sheep.
“She really hit the road running this year,” Christianson said.
Miguel also was a state finalist in the Agriscience Fair and is waiting to hear back about qualifying for nationals.
In horticulture, Jaydah Rodriguez had an amazing fair. She entered 10 plants and was rewarded with eight firsts, one second and one third. Zac Christianson also won two firsts in floral for his Lego projects.
In poultry, Salvador Virgen received second place in Novice Showmanship and earned first, second and third as well as best of breed with his bantam Serama chickens.
For swine, 2023 Denair High graduate Dakota Rutherford returned for her final fair to earn first place in her market class and eighth place for showmanship. Rutherford – about to be a sophomore at Modesto Junior College – will put on her FFA jacket for the final time in October when she receives her American Degree. Christianson said Rutherford is the 21st person in the Denair FFA chapter’s 96-year history to earn the award, which is the organization’s highest honor.
In ag mechanics, Denair had two students win first-place ribbons – Landon Rock with a 350-block coffee table and Brenna Cole with a removable sheep stand.
In goats, Ryan Rohn won first in his market class and third in the heavyweight division.
Ethan Ibarra placed third in FFA Advanced Showmanship and earned first- and second-place ribbons for his geese as well as a second and third for his blue laced Wyandotte chickens.
