OREMC’s annual FFA Wiring Contest practice session, in conjunction with Brantley County High School, was held in early January ahead of the regional competition. It was come back for Lance Dawson from Wayne County. Last year he came in fourth, and wasn’t happy with his performance, Now a senior, Lance was pleased with his first place finish, and winning $100, at this year’s practice session. Rounding out the top three were Jaycob Lee from Charlton County in second and Grayson McPhaul from Ware County finishing third.

For their FFA advisors the annual OREMC wiring contest practice session offers valuable, real-world application ahead of the regional and state competitions. Ag Mechanics Teacher and FFA Advisor for Wayne County Nick Hodges notes, “Lance’s disappointment in  himself at last year’s fourth place finish in the OREMC practice session was so motivating he ended up finishing first in the regional competition with a perfect score. The practice makes a difference.”

Audrey Pickren, FFA Advisor for Charlton County, agrees, “The practice session is valuable because of the feedback they receive on each part of the contest that they can use to improve their performance. These aren’t just wiring skills, but life skills.”

Open to high school students in grades nine through 12, the wiring competition is an Agricultural electrification Career Development Event sponsored jointly by the Georgia FFA Association and the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation representing the state’s 41 electric membership cooperatives. The event is divided into three sections: a presentation/demonstration speech, problem solving questions and a wiring problem. Each section is timed and scored based on work completed and competency demonstrated. The top two winners from each of the six regions advance to the statewide competition.

Pictured l-r: Grayson McPhaul, Lance Dawson and Jaycob Lee.