AMES, Iowa – The move to a virtual competition format did not stop members of Iowa State University’s Professional Agricultural Student (PAS) Club from bringing home several top state and national awards from recent competitions.
National Conference results
The 2021 National PAS Conference took place March 15-19. Two Iowa State teams claimed top honors, while a third took home second place honors:
- Equine (first place team) – Ashley Lohmann, junior in animal science, first place individual; Shayla Seils, senior in agricultural and life sciences education, second place individual
- Crops (first place team) – Rosie Roberts, senior in agronomy, first place individual
- Overall Livestock (second place team) – Jenna Steffen, junior in agricultural and life sciences education, third place individual
Ten club members participated in individual events, with eight top three finishers:
- Prepared speaking – Maddie Fugate, senior in agricultural business, first place; Skye Kretzinger, junior in agriculture and society, second place
- Ag Sales – Machaela Ingalls, junior in agricultural and life sciences education, second place
- Ag Education – Cassie Hosek, junior in agricultural and life sciences education, third place
- Employment Interview – Hayley Jackson, senior in dairy science, first place in dairy; Rosie Roberts, first place in fertilizer/ag chemicals; Mackenzie Kraft, junior in animal science, second place in feed/animal health; Jenna Steffen, third place in ag education
Additionally, Jenna Steffen was named one of the new PAS National Vice Presidents.
State Conference results
The state conference took place Feb. 5-6, at which three Iowa State teams took first place honors:
- Equine (first place team) – Ashley Lohmann, first place individual; Mackenzie Kraft, second place individual
- Turf (first place team) – Rosie Roberts, first place individual; Eston Coe, junior in industrial technology, second place individual
- Overall Livestock (first place team) – Jenna Steffen, first place individual; Hayley Jackson, second place individual; Payton Dvorak, junior in animal science, third place individual
- Crops (third place team)
Twelve club members participated in individual events, with seven named champions and two runners-up:
- Prepared speaking – Maddie Fugate, first place; Skye Kretzinger, second place
- Ag Sales – Machaela Ingalls, second place
- Ag Education – Cassie Hosek, first place; Nelson Findling, senior in agricultural and life sciences education, third place
- Vet Tech – Payton Dvorak, first place
- Employment Interview – Hayley Jackson, first place in dairy; Rosie Roberts, first place in fertilizer/ag chemicals; Mackenzie Kraft, first place in feed/animal health; Jenna Steffen, first place in ag education; Casey Allen, junior in agricultural and life sciences education, second place in ag education; Eston Coe, second place in ag sales
Also at the state competition, Jenna Steffen was named the new PAS State President.
Club advisor Nate Dobbels said this year’s results are the best he has seen the club achieve.
“Each of these students deserve a big congratulations and did such a wonderful job representing Iowa State at the highest level,” Dobbels said.
Involvement in a PAS club prepares students for work in all areas of the agricultural industry. Through competing at the local, state and national levels, students develop the professional, technical and soft skills needed for success in their careers.
