Wawasee High School’s FFA horticulture judging team took first place at the national competition in Kentucky. In front, from left, are team members Molly Swartz, Shelby Swartz, Katie Acton, Sophia Nyce, Sarah Harden and Leeann Estrada. In the back are faculty advisors Mariah Roberts and Tyler Boganwright and the team’s coach, Joan Harden.

Wawasee High School’s FFA horticulture judging team placed first nationally during the national horticulture judging competition Saturday in Lexington, Ky. This follows the judging team taking first place at the state competition Sept. 13 at Purdue University.

Judging team members are Molly Swartz, Shelby Swartz, Katie Acton, Sophia Nyce, Sarah Harden and Leeann Estrada. Joan Harden is the team’s coach and faculty advisors are Mariah Roberts and Tyler Boganwright.

To prepare for the national competition, team members had to read and digest several articles covering a variety of horticulture topics. They also had to study some plants they didn’t have to identify at the state competition.

Overall individual placings for Wawasee were Nyce, second; Sarah Harden, third; Acton, fourth; and Shelby Swartz, eighth. This was the third year in a row the horticulture judging team qualified for the national competition.

Sponsors included Clayton Garden Center, Lakeland Kiwanis Club, Milford Kiwanis Club, Sue’s Creations, Tom Farms, Randy and Eldonna Warren and the Wawasee Garden Club.