Pictured are Taylor Hayes, Bryson Pitts, and Reagan Smith, Randolph FFA members who recently competed at the FFA state contests at the Genesee County Fair. Submitted photo

RANDOLPH — For three members of the Randolph FFA, their skills in welding and tractor driving and safety recently paid off at their state competitions at the Genesee County Fair.

Reagan Smith, Bryson Pitts and Taylor Hayes traveled to the fair on Wednesday for the state competition, along with Randolph’s Agriculture Teacher and FFA advisor Arissa Hitchcock. In the tractor driving and safety contest the students had two different courses, one maneuvering a two-wheel manure spreader and one driving a four-wheel wagon. There was also a skid-steer test where they had to drive the skid-steer without spilling water. These were followed by a written test on tractor parts and safety.

For welding, the students had to complete tasks in MIG and SMAW, or Metal Inert Gas and Shielded Metal Arc Welding. The boys also had a written test with these competitions, focusing on welding knowledge and safety, followed by a test where they identified parts of a torch cutter system, and cut a circle using a plasma cutter. Around 70 or so students competed in all of the competitions.

“So many schools from all over the state competed and Randolph should be proud of these guys,” Hitchcock said. “I know I definitely am.”

In welding, Pitts placed sixth in the state. In tractor driving and safety, Hayes placed fifth and Pitts placed first, allowing him the opportunity to represent New York in the tractor driving competition at the Big E competition in September.

Hitchcock said these awards show how hard the students have worked to get here.

“I think as a teacher and advisor it shows the hard work they put in,” Hitchcock said. “They took the time with their jobs and classes to prepare and it means a lot to see their hard work pay off.”

With a lot of students having more interest in sports and other clubs, Hitchcock added that she was glad to be able to show that students can make it to states with FFA as well, adding that the boys also had their own animals and worked on their own farms.

“It means a lot to see that their hard work pays off,” she said. “Bryson’s family is ecstatic.”

Hitchcock encouraged all students to get involved in FFA, even if they do not live on a farm or have any agricultural experience. She said that competitions such as welding and tractor driving can open doors to other things in students’ lives that they can learn and experience.

“FFA gives students opportunities for certain types of field trips and other experiences,” Hitchcock said. “Students should take those opportunities and use them to keep getting better at things.”