Four members of Lassen’s Future Farmers of America are headed to Kentucky this October after accomplishing something that has never been done by Lassen students before – the high school’s FFA Veterinary Science team, Lindsey Noggles, Courtney Jones, Clarissa Faustino and Ashley Miller, took first place at FFA State Finals in May and will be representing Lassen at the National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville.
The Vet Science team took first at Cal Poly last month allowing them to move on to the national competition where they will face the best team from each state.
According to Veterinary Science team Coach Elizabeth Ammon the team has been preparing since September for state finals.
“They competed at numerous field days throughout the year and ended at Cal Poly, SLO,” explains Ammon. “Of the top 51 teams in the state and over 250 contestants they placed 1st high team with Lindsay placing 1st high individual, Ashley 5th high and Courtney 8th high in the state.”
Making the Trip a Reality
Despite all of the hard work the girls had put into winning state they still had a monumental task ahead of them – raising enough money to pay for the trip to Louisville. That was until Jason Rieger, owner of Wheels West auto dealership in Susanville, stepped in and offered to pay the team’s way to Kentucky. Rieger will be picking up the tab for everything from airline tickets to hotel accommodations.
“I was contacted about the FFA team and told they were the first ever Susanville FFA team to win State,” said Rieger. “I was asked for a small donation to help them pay for their trip to the nationals. I was so excited for them, I decided to fund their entire trip. They have worked hard to represent Susanville, so they deserve it, we are incredibly proud of them.”
“I was born and raised in Susanville and I’m proud to call Susanville my hometown,” said Rieger. “When I came back to start a business in Susanville, my main goal was to give back to a community that gave me so much as I was growing up.”
Rieger and the dealership have brought back the Sober Grad car giveaway and make a habit of contributing to the high school’s athletic programs. When Rieger heard the football team had been using the same practice uniforms for over 20 years, he purchased all new ones.
Late last week the FFA Veterinary Science team met up with Rieger at his dealership across the street from the high school to personally thank him for his amazing donation.
“I would like to thank Jason for always supporting our community and for giving these students the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Coach Ammon. “We live in a fantastic community that is so supportive and it warms my heart to think someone would do that for these girls.”
