ABC Pelican hosts Louisiana FFA district craft competition + announces details for upcoming area competition

WESTLAKE, LA. – The Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors hosted a craft competition today at its Southwest Training Center for nearly 70 Louisiana FFA District 9 high school students competing in the categories of electrical, small engine and welding. The students who competed represented Allen, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis Parish, and the winners will advance to the Louisiana FFA Area III Craft Competition.
 
“Many careers in or related to construction are projected to grow around 11 percent between 2018 and 2028, and this growth can only happen when are doing our part to educate future craft professionals about their career options in this industry,” said David Helveston, President and CEO of the Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. “ABC Pelican is proud of our strong partnership with educational programs like Louisiana FFA to ensure these rising stars in our industry have opportunities to display their impressive techniques and learn about how they can make a career out of their skill set.”
 
Here are the winners of the District 9 Louisiana FFA Craft Competition that will advance to the Louisiana FFA Area III Craft Competition. The welding and small engine portion of the Area III competition will take place on March 5 at ABC Pelican.
 

• Electrical winners of the 2020 Louisiana FFA District 9 Craft Competition that will advance to the Area III competition:
  • 1st: Olivia Habetz, Hathaway High School
  • 2nd: Canaan McFarlin, Jennings High School
  • 3rd: Alex Richard, Jennings High School
  • 4th: Carson Anderson, Fairview High School
  • 5th: Gabe Courville, Kinder High School
  • 6th: Christian Mikkelson, Welsh High School
  • 7th: Jack Roberts, Kinder Welsh High School
  • 8th: Corey Cottongin, Reeves High School
  • 9th: Brennon Bort, Sam Houston High School
  • 10th: Cameron Fuselier, Hathaway High School
  • 11th: Zack Trahan, Welsh High School
  • 12th: Cody Leger, Reeves High School
  • 13th: Jacob Bott, Oakdale High School

 

• Small Engine winners of the 2020 Louisiana FFA District 9 Craft Competition that will advance to the Area III competition (teams of two):
  • 1st: Tanner LaComb and Benjamin West, Elton High School
  • 2nd: Jaci Miller and Jadon Smith, Blue Team from Jennings High School
  • 3rd: Joseph Rodriguez and Nicholas Boudreaux, Gold Team from Jennings High School
  • 4th: Coby Bertrand and Owen Daigle, Sam Houston High School

 

• Welding winners of the 2020 Louisiana FFA District 9 Craft Competition that will advance to the Area III competition (teams of two):
  • 1st: Matthew Pascale and Brayden Manz, Grand Lake High School
  • 2nd: Toby Johnson and Ryan Guillory, Kinder High School
  • 3rd: Brian Aucoin and Jacob Fontenot, Sam Houston High School
  • 4th: Tyler Bourque and Dylan Taylor, Reeves High School                
  • 5th: Kaleb Shuff and Jade Lejeune, Hathaway High School
  • 6th: Kade Parker and Caleb Bushnell, DeQuincy High School
  • 7th: Montana Thigpen and Deondre Lavan, Reeves High School
  • 8th: Tyler Young and Branson Aguillard, Grand Lake High School

 
Avoyelles, Evangeline, Allen, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion Parish will be represented at the Area III Louisiana FFA Craft Competition. While high school students compete in the Area III Louisiana FFA craft competition in welding and small engine, ABC Pelican Member companies will participate in a jambalaya cook-off.
 
Helveston remarked: “While the Area III craft competitors show off their technical understanding and safety know-how, industry leaders will discuss careers in construction with these students and vie for first place in the Cajun culinary category.”
 
2020 Louisiana FFA Area III Craft Competition details:
What: Craft competition for the winners of the Louisiana FFA District 8, 9, 10 and 11 welding and small engine craft competitions. The welding winners of this competition will advance to the state competition on March 24, hosted by the ABC Pelican Baton Rouge Training Center.
           
Who: Louisiana FFA high school students from Avoyelles, Evangeline, Allen, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion Parish. Business and community leaders will also attend and participate in the cook-off.
            
When: Thursday, March 5, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

• Craft competition: 9a-12p
• Jambalaya winners announced: 11a
• Lunch for students: 12p-1p
• Craft competition winners announced: 1p

 
Where: ABC Pelican Southwest Training Center (222 Walcot Road, Westlake, Louisiana 70669)
 
*Media registration: Contact Erika Walter at ewalter@abcpelican.com or 225-448-3348*
 
Celebrating its 40th year, the Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC) represents the merit shop construction industry in 52 of the 64 parishes in Louisiana. It is a diverse, non-profit, trade association of contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and industry professionals who have joined together to advance the construction industry by promoting and protecting the Merit Shop Philosophy and the principles of the free enterprise system.