Heartland students take home national ag awards

NORMAL, Ill.— Seven Heartland Community College students placed in a national competition to demonstrate agribusiness skills.

Students competed in eight categories at the National Professional Agricultural Student Organization Conference in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Heartland’s group of students produced two national winners, three national runner-ups and three more individuals who placed third nationally.

“Every single one of our individual contest participants ended up in the top three in the nation,” said Heartland PAS faculty adviser Miranda Buss.

“These students have worked their tails off preparing for contests while keeping up with their classes, and most of them holding a part-time job.”

Student winners are:

• Kaden Farrell — third place for agronomic services area in employment interview event.

• Kaylee Lewis — national title for natural resources area in career progress event and second place for natural resources area in employment interview event.

• Cade Luginbuhl — second place for natural resources area in career planning event.

• Lauren Monk — third place for agriculture education event.

• Emily Pina — national title for floriculture, landscape and nursery area in employment interview event.

• Brody Wilson — third place for precision agriculture event.

• Payton Wiltz — second place for precision agriculture event.

The National PAS Organization is a student-led organization that allows students to build and sharpen their skills so that they are ready for the workplace.

Through competitive style learning and real-life application, PAS members are skilled professionals and prepared to work in all areas of the agriculture industry.