The Junior FFA Aquaculture Team scored the second state championship this year for Cedar Key. The chapter also has the opportunity for two more State champions next week at the Ornamental Horticulture competition. While the other students of Cedar Key School were camping, traveling, and enjoying their spring break, five dedicated FFA members Kira Telgen, Heather Deaton, Stephanie Hathcox, Taryn Epperson, and Walker Emrick were practicing diligently everyday for the state Aquaculture competition. After their hard work and time spent they earned a first place title and four high individuals. Now everyone automatically thinks, "Oh, Cedar Key is an island community, of course they`re going win an Aquaculture contest." Well living on an island does have its advantages but this competition has seven parts, not all of which Cedar Key School`s oceanic location can cover. The different segments of the contest, in Species ID, the students must be able to identify 70 tropical fish, 80 aquatic plants, and 10 other species. In Anatomy and Physiology, the competitors must identify internal and external anatomy and the function of the fish. Water Quality and Analysis requires the students to test water samples` pH, ammonia (NH3), nitrates, and dissolved oxygen.
Another part of the competition is called System Design and Troubleshooting, where the students are given a model of a high tech aquatic re-circulating system, identify the problems and recommend solutions. Students must identify diseases and predators in the fifth segment of the competition, then in the sixth segment they take a written exam on aquaculture. In the seventh and final part the students are scored as a team in the group activity. They are given a scenario and have 30 minutes to prepare and 4 minutes to present it to the judges.
The team, Kira, Heather, Stephanie, and Taryn successfully executed each part of this contest, even getting a perfect score on the team activity. All team members (were high individuals at the state level ;) Stephanie Hathcox placed 1st individually, Heather Deaton placed 2nd individually, Taryn Epperson placed 4th individually, and Kira Telgen placed 5th individually. State competition recognizes top five teams and top five individuals. In the state contest this year cedar key middle school FFA chapter received four of the five awards.
The team will go to the state convention on June 16 to receive their awards in the parade of champions, during the second general session. 2nd and 3rd Graders Visit Sea World
By Claire Brown
"It was the best day of my life!" exclaims an excited J.P. Francisco when asked about his recent field trip to Sea World. The 2nd and 3rd graders at Cedar Key School visited the park to wrap up a sealife themed study they`d been doing for the weeks prior to the trip. The trip to Sea World went along with what they`d been studying, making it a fun and rewarding trip as well as educational. They met at the school bright and early to depart at 6:30 a.m. What a good way to kick-off spring break!
When asked about his trip to Sea World, third grader, Corey Williams exclaims, "it was all so much fun!" He explains that he rode every single ride except for "The Crackin`" because he was unfortunately, too short. He says that watching the whale show was his favorite part because Shamu splashed water all over him with his tail. Corey was asked what his least favorite part of Sea World was and after a moment of pondering he assuredley replied "nothing." It sounds like the field trip was a successful, fun, and educational trip for the students, teachers, and chaperones. Seahorse Follow-up By Zoe Stuber
Marine science students returned to the mainland this week from a successful research expedition on Seahorse March 30th through April 1st . The class of five, in addition to seven other students, spent three days on the island exploring and learning about the diverse life of the Gulf Coast. On the first night students performed a water chemistry lab testing the oxygen, salinity, and pH levels of samples of water taken from the harbor at Seahorse. On March 30th and 31st, Tuesday and Wednesday, the students went out on the University of Florida`s research vessel to collect samples to identify and bring back to their lab on Cedar Key. Tuesday night the group went on a night walk to the old graveyard while exchanging ghost stories. Wednesday, science teacher Richard Whitman ferried the students out to Snake Key for a "nature scavenger hunt." The students had to find things on the beach like black glass and sea squirts, and also certain types of saltwater marsh plants. After the scavenger hunt, the group cooked mullet and redfish they had caught earlier in the day to celebrate their last night on the island. When not doing research, students entertained themselves and kept busy with many games of beach volleyball, cards, and board games. After enjoying three days of camaraderie in the name of learning, Sara Miller says, "Even though I did get a little sunburned and ended up looking like a lobster, I really enjoyed the trip and learned a lot!" Shark Sports Round-Up By Laia Gore
Shark Correspondent The Varsity Lady Sharks softball team lost last week`s home game against Branford. The first inning started off close with a score of 2-0, Branford in the lead. The top of the second began with two consecutive outs and the third came after several opposing players went up to bat and the batter hit a pop fly. The Sharks tight fielding only let Branford score one run that inning. The Lady Sharks finally heated up their bats in the bottom of the 2nd inning and got two players (Deanna Littlefield and Muki Glinert) on base. At the end of the inning the score was 6-0; Sharks still behind. At the top of the fourth, the Lady Sharks seemed to be taking their fielding up a notch; Camryn Lumley got a runner out at first base, Miranda Haire caught a pop fly and got the batter out, and Jade Watson struck out the last batter. In the bottom of the fourth the Ladies were on a roll with their batting; Miranda Haire and Shea O`Steen both got on base but were tagged out on second, and Brooke Allen got on first. In the top of the fifth inning, Shea O`Steen, Brooke Allen, and Haley Simpson all caught pop flies and got all three batters out. In the bottom of the fifth, game was called and the final score was 10-0; Sharks with the loss. Brooke Allen had this to say after the game "I think we played pretty good in the field, but we have got to work on our batting, I mean if you don`t hit, you don`t score." Sixteen athletes from Cedar Key are advancing to the 1A Regional Track and Field meet. 28 members of the team earned 42 all-district ribbons, each of those ribbons earned points. The meet consisted of six teams, Oak Hall, P.K Young, Bronson, Wildwood, St. Francis, and Cedar Key.
Cedar Key had two first place finishes: Deanna Littlefield in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 51.14 just 1.14 seconds off the school record and Caely Hibbits in high jump with a jump of four feet six inches. Chloe Reynolds and Kevin Carswell finished second in their events. Reynolds ran a time of 19.71 in the 110 meter hurdles and Carswell vaulted nine feet.
The team racked up points in more field events with three third place finishes. Devin Littlefield in high jump with a jump of five feet four inches, Frankie Beckham in pole vault at eight feet six inches, and Zack Anderson in triple jump with a jump of 37`2". An athlete must finish in the top four to advance to the regional meet and the sharks cleaned up well in the relays to send more athletes.
Deanna Littlefield finished fourth in pole vault with a height of eight feet. Zack Anderson and Zoe Stuber had success in their field events as well with a throw of 68`4" to send Stuber to regionals and a jump of 5`0" for Anderson The boys and girls 4x800 teams are advancing: Lauren Bartholmey, Jemima Cahours, Sarah Bartholmey, Megan Stuber, Keith Eberhardt, Hunter Cannon, Frankie Beckham, and Thomas Benefield.
Continuing the success was the boys 4x100 team that consists of Carswell, Cannon, Anderson, and Aaron Esposito. The last of event of the night was an exciting one said many of the track team athletes. Frankie Beckham got the baton in fourth place and had to race against Oak Hall to keep the lead. As he rounded the last corner, ready to run the last 100 meters Oak Hall was gaining, but Frankie kept the lead and finished in fourth to bring the team to regionals. Members of the 4x400 team include Carswell, Devin Littlefield, Benefield, and Beckham. |
