Taking the national stage

Published 6:19 pm Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Team Snort is now in Indianapolis.

Last month the tractor restoration project by FFA members at Sequim High School — a rebuild of a 1954 Farmall C nicknamed “Snort” — was named one of 12 finalists in a national competition sponsored by Delo, Chevron’s premium oil subsidiary. Four team members are now attending the 84th National FFA Convention and making their final pitch to the judges.

To prepare, the Sequim team has in recent days put in another 40-plus hours prepping for their moment on the stage. Their 20-minute presentation is complex and includes display boards, a skit, a PowerPoint presentation and a brief video. But that’s not all: Following the presentation their knowledge will be tested as they spend another ten minutes answering questions from judges about tractor mechanics.

The team has given their presentation to various community groups for practice and to raise funds for the trip, including the Sequim Dungeness Chamber of Commerce, Sunrise Rotary Club, the Sequim School Board and the Sequim High School teaching staff.

Short and team leader Jim Bekkevar are accompanying Team Snort to the national tractor competition.

The winners will be announced Thursday, Oct. 20.