Vandegrift’s first meat judging team in its FFA chapter history placed 4th overall at the area contest at Texas A&M University on April 6 and qualified for state at TAMU on May 4. The team consists of Zach Roush, Katie Wills, and Joshua Alexander. Wills also placed 9th individually.

During the contest, students are in a freezing meat cooler in frocks and hard hats. They identify retail cuts of meat, their actual names and where the cuts are located on the carcass. The students also have to know which is the best way to cook the meat, such as using a grill or crockpot. Additionally they grade the quality of the meat and are tested over the meat industry.

VHS student teacher, Taylor Navarette, is responsible for coaching this year’s meat judging team.