Rocky FFA off to strong start under new advisor

Rocky Mountain High School’s FFA chapter is gaining momentum this fall, energized by new agriculture teacher and advisor Braden West, whose passion for livestock judging, hands-on learning and community involvement is already showing results.

The school’s livestock judging team started strong with early awards. West said two major competitions have been the highlight of his first semester at RMHS, beginning with the Casper College Judging Contest, where the team earned first place among Wyoming schools.

Their success continued at the NILE Livestock Exposition in Billings.

“I brought five members there, and we were the best FFA team out of all the Wyoming teams at the NILE,” West said. Rocky finished eighth overall out of 64 teams from several states, a result he called both exciting and encouraging. The students on the team were Colten Bitton, Charlee Welling, Sam Loyning, Dalan Wambeke and Emmilee Wambeke.

FFA students have also been active in the community. A group visited the New Horizons Care Center on Halloween afternoon to help residents pass out candy to trick-or-treating children.

“We helped the older adults. … The children came in and did trick-or-treating stuff, and we helped the residents hand out candy to everyone,” West said. He took seven students to the event, including his chapter officers.

The chapter also added a pumpkin-carving activity with support from the FFA Alumni, who purchased pumpkins so students could work in teams and take home their creations.

Looking ahead, West said students are preparing for several upcoming competitions.

“We’re going to start scheduling judging practices here again, and this week we’re going to a welding competition in Ten Sleep on Friday,” he explained. Five students are expected to attend, in partnership with the school’s welding program and SkillsUSA.

Leadership opportunities are expanding, as well. West recently took students to two statewide conferences: the Chapter Presidents’ Conference (CPC) for officers and FIRE, a program that helps freshmen get involved early.

“I took six total students — two officers and four freshmen,” he said.

CPC is designed specifically for chapter officers, providing training in leadership, communication, advocacy and program planning, and helping students learn how to run effective chapters and build strong Programs of Activities.

One standout this season has been Ella Pierce, who competed in the horse evaluation contest at the NILE and finished eighth-high individual overall out of more than 200 competitors.

“She did really, really well,” West said.

Principal Betsy Sammons said West’s energy and expertise are already elevating the program.

“What I’m really excited about is what he’s bringing to FFA and our judging program,” she said. “He came in and worked with a group of kids right off the bat, and they’re already performing. When it comes to all things ag, there’s nobody more passionate than Braden. He’s getting kids excited about it, which is exciting for us.”

Sammons added that the district has made a deliberate effort this year to expand and strengthen agricultural education.

“We’ve upped the game,” she said. “We know it’s important, and it’s something the community wants to see. It’s who our community is, and Braden’s our guy. His agriculture background is unmatched.”

West, who graduated from Sheridan High School before earning his degree from South Dakota State University, brings a strong personal history in livestock evaluation. He was part of SDSU’s nationally competitive livestock judging team and earned a spot in the university’s hall of fame for his individual scores at the national judging competition in Louisville.

He also serves as a livestock judge for county fairs, maintaining connections with regional ag families and programs.

The Rocky FFA program has also seen increased parental involvement.

“The community is very supportive around here,” West said. “The parents and the alumni especially have helped guide me to where I am and where I want to be. They make my job so much easier.”

Sammons noted that the school now has an FFA parent booster group, formed last year, which has helped with fundraising and supported the program in every way they can. West added that there are “too many parents to mention” who contribute significantly to the chapter.

Braden West has stepped in quickly to continue the strong tradition of agricultural education at Rocky Mountain High School, bringing fresh energy to the program and adding a spark that students have responded to immediately.