Checotah FFA Dominates Livestock Judging Contests

Students excel at multiple events, bringing home top team and individual honors

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting various livestock judging activities, with overlapping planes of earth-toned colors representing the multifaceted nature of these agricultural competitions.Checotah FFA students demonstrate their livestock expertise through a cubist lens, highlighting the analytical and competitive nature of these agricultural contests.Checotah Today

The Checotah FFA chapter had an impressive showing at recent livestock judging contests, with their senior and junior teams earning high placements and individual students capturing top spots. The teams competed at events in Wilburton and Miami, Oklahoma, demonstrating their expertise in areas like livestock evaluation, meats assessment, and public speaking.

Why it matters

These livestock judging competitions are a core part of the FFA experience, allowing students to apply their agricultural knowledge and skills in hands-on, real-world scenarios. Strong performances at these events showcase the quality of Checotah's FFA program and the dedication of its members, reinforcing the town's reputation for agricultural excellence.

The details

At the CDE Contest in Wilburton, the Checotah FFA senior livestock judging team placed 9th overall, with Jade McPeak earning 6th high individual. The school's meats evaluation team also competed, with Avery Williams placing 23rd high individual. Later, at the NEO Livestock Judging Contest in Miami, the senior team placed 6th overall and earned several category honors, including 8th high team in reasons, 10th high team in sheep and goats, and champion team in swine. Individually, Jade McPeak placed 4th high overall, 1st in swine, 8th in reasons, and 4th in cattle. Rylee Howell was 21st high individual overall and 15th in swine, while Shayla Dismukes was 2nd high individual in swine.

  • The CDE Contest in Wilburton took place on March 26.
  • The NEO Livestock Judging Contest in Miami occurred on April 1.

The players

Checotah FFA

The Checotah, Oklahoma chapter of the National FFA Organization, a youth leadership development program focused on agricultural education.

Jade McPeak

A member of the Checotah FFA senior livestock judging team who placed highly in multiple categories, including 4th high individual overall, 1st in swine, 8th in reasons, and 4th in cattle.

Rylee Howell

A member of the Checotah FFA senior livestock judging team who placed 21st high individual overall and 15th in swine.

Shayla Dismukes

A member of the Checotah FFA senior livestock judging team who placed 2nd high individual in swine.

Zach Ilbery

The FFA advisor for the Checotah FFA chapter.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Congratulations to these team members on an outstanding day. Everyone put in the work and it showed. We are incredibly proud of all of these students for their hard work, dedication, and representing Checotah FFA at a high level in multiple events even on the same day and throughput the month. This is what it means to be committed!”

— Zach Ilbery, FFA Advisor

The takeaway

The Checotah FFA chapter's impressive performances at these livestock judging contests showcase the strength of the school's agricultural education program and the dedication of its students. These results reinforce Checotah's reputation as a hub for agricultural excellence and highlight the valuable real-world skills FFA members are developing.