WIU Agriculture Students Advance to National PAS Competition

February 15, 2023

MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University Professional Agriculture Students (PAS) competed in the group's spring competition Feb. 9 at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL, with several students becoming national PAS qualifiers.

Students who were honored during the competition include:

• Crops Specialist Team - Third place overall team and National PAS Qualifier:
- Christy Mahr, a senior agriculture major, of Hanna City, IL
- Fuller Anderson, a senior agriculture major, of Atwater, IL
- Clayton Walch, a junior agriculture major, of Raymond, IL, who also placed sixth overall in the individual competition

• Prepared Public Speaking
- David Ramirez, a junior law enforcement and justice administration major, of Island Lake, IL, who placed third overall and was a National PAS Qualifier.

• Impromptu Speaking
- Luke Jesgarz, a senior agriculture major, of Shelbyville, IL

• Sheep Specialist Team – Fifth place overall team and National PAS Qualifier
- Alex Bruno, a senior agriculture major, of Springfield, IL
- Jett Vickery, a junior agriculture major, of Taylorville, IL, who also placed 10th overall in the individual competition
- William Ornduff, a junior agriculture major, of Cameron, IL

Fall State PAS Qualifiers include:

Soil Science Specialist Team - National PAS Qualifier
- Walch
- Mahr
- Elaina Allaman, a freshman agriculture major, of Monmouth, IL

Equine Specialist Team - National PAS Qualifier
- Laurel Keyt, a senior agriculture major, of Hanna City, IL
- Jesgarz
- Emma Lowe, a sophomore agriculture major, of Quincy, IL

Employment Interview Agribusiness Administration =
- Jesgarz - National PAS Qualifier

For more information about the WIU School of Agriculture, visit wiu.edu/agriculture.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing

Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University