On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Florida FFA Food Science and Technology Career Development Event (CDE) state championship finals were held at the University of Florida. A preliminary round was held earlier in the school year with 58 middle school and high school teams competing with the top 10 middle school and top 10 high school teams earning the opportunity to compete for the state championship.
Students had to demonstrate skills in food sensory evaluation, food safety and food quality. Additionally, the team had to make a presentation on an assigned scenario and were required to include food nutrition knowledge, food cost analysis, food production and target food marketing. The teams also had to take a comprehensive exam covering the food science and technology industry. This CDE is designed to promote learning activities in food science and technology related to the food industry and to assist students in developing practical knowledge of principles used in a team decision-making process.
The West Orange HS FFA earned the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in the high school division and student member Cate Solomon, from West Orange HS FFA (top photo-pictured far left), was the highest individual scorer in the state. To add to this great success, the Orlando-Colonial HS FFA (pictured below) earned second place in the state high school division.
Both of these OCPS FFA Chapters and the state high individual scorer will be recognized and receive their state awards on stage at the Florida FFA State Convention in June. The West Orange HS FFA will also advance to the national event at the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana this October.
