When you’ve done something over and over again, it becomes expected. But it never
gets old. Such is the case with Marietta FFA’s unprecedented string of OKC State Fair
ag mechanics championships. For five out of the last seven years, the chapter has been
top dog in the show.
“This is a big deal for our kids,” said advisor Josh Bazor. “We had more kids place this
time, and most of the projects we took up there did really well.”
The show boasts 10 categories, and to put into perspective Marietta FFA’s dominance,
the chapter swept four of the categories and were runners-up in an additional four.
Division winners were Brody Bazor and Taylor McCleskey, Waylon McKinney, Kevin
Bain, and Dawson Pass. Runners-up were Schuyler Blevins, Maddi Magnus, Ian
Dehoyos, and Zade Bone. Third place winners were Maddi Magnus and Timber
Campbell. Although some of the students have graduated, they are allowed to exhibit
projects in the year following their graduation.
Perhaps even better than the championships is the reputation for excellence that the ag
mechanics program at Marietta has earned. Two recent graduates, Bain and Blevins,
went directly into the workforce after graduation, both using the skill set developed in
the program.
“We have kids who are taking what they learned in class, and they’re using those skills
to make a living, right out of high school,” explained Bazor. “They’re in the work force,
paying taxes and making a contribution. That’s something that we’re proud of.”