MONROE — Students in BTC’s Agricultural Program at the Monroe Campus competed in two conferences over the last two months, bringing home a record number of awards.
The Wisconsin Professional Agricultural Students (PAS) Competitive Events Conference was a statewide virtual conference that ran from Feb. 22-24. Over 200 students and advisors from technical colleges across the state competed.
The National Professional Agricultural Students Conference was held from March 16-19 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There were over 400 students and advisors from technical colleges all over the country.
Dustin Williams, Agribusiness and Farm Management Instructor says he’s proud of the accomplishments of his students, especially over the last two years.
“I’m especially proud of the students that stepped up to serve as local and state officers during the pandemic,” he said. “It’s been challenging, but we were able to keep students engaged in this organization during the pandemic.”
BTC also has three students serving as state officers on the six-member team this year. Trinity Dyreson, McKenna Pfeuti, and Ashley Letcher are all currently serving as officers. Trinity was also just elected to serve as one of the 2022-2023 National PAS Vice Presidents.
The National PAS Organization has more than 6,000 members from 57 chapters located in 18 states. PAS is available to students in Post-Secondary Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Natural Resource Programs in 550 technical colleges in all 50 states.
The PAS mission is to provide opportunities for individual growth, leadership and career planning through participation in employment experience programs, course work and PAS activities.
Wisconsin PAS Conference award winners
● Trevor Bausch, 1st, Employment Interviewing: Crop Production
● Casey Bennett, 1st, Employment Interviewing: Forestry and Natural Resources
● Issa Conombo, 1st, Employment Interviewing: Fruit and Vegetable Production
● Kalee Schaefer, 1st, Employment Interviewing: Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals
● Avery Caley, 2nd, Employment Interviewing: Forestry and Natural Resources
● Trinity Dyreson, 2nd, Employment Interviewing: Livestock Production
● Jason Hunt, 2nd, Agriculture Sales Specialist
● Ashley Letcher, 2nd, Employment Interviewing: Agricultural Education
● Mckenna Pfeuti, 2nd, Employment Interviewing: Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals
● Heidi Reed, 2nd, Employment Interviewing: Crop Production
● Trevor Bausch & Casey Bennett, 2nd, Crops and Soils Specialist: Teams
● Trinity Dyreson, Mckenna Pfeuti & Jordan Lerch, 2nd, Equine Specialist: Teams
● Ashley Letcher, 3rd, AG Education Specialist
● Leslie Reinke, 3rd, Employment Interviewing: Livestock Production
● Kalee Schaefer, 3rd, Impromptu Speaking
● Casey Bennett, 4th, Career Progress: Ag Management and Marketing Systems
● Trevor Bausch, 4th, Crops and Soils Specialist: Individuals
● Trinity Dyreson, 4th, Equine Specialist: Individual
● Troy Nickels, Kalee Schaefer & Luke Grocholl, 4th, Agricultural Business/Farm Management: Teams
National PAS Conference award winners:
● Leslie Reinke, 1st, Career Planning: Horticulture, Environmental and Natural Resource Systems
● Casey Bennett, 2nd, Career Progress: Ag Management and Marketing Systems
● Kalee Schaefer, 2nd, Employment Interviewing: Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals
● Trevor Bausch, 3rd, Employment Interviewing: Crop Production
● Casey Bennett, 3rd, Employment Interviewing: Forestry and Natural Resources
● Trinity Dyreson, 3rd, Employment Interviewing: Livestock Production
● Trevor Bausch, Casey Bennett & Kalee Schaefer, 3rd, Crops and Soils Specialist: Team
● Casey Bennett, Trevor Bausch, Leslie Reinke, Kalee Schaefer & Issa Conombo, 4th, College Quiz Bowl