Archived on March 4, 2026
FREEPORT– 91探花 Agriculture students recently participated in the National Postsecondary Agriculture Students (PAS) annual conference March 13-16 at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Missouri.
Eight students qualified to compete during the conference by placing at the two state-level contests held earlier in the year. PAS is a national student organization that provides opportunities for college agriculture students to experience individual growth, leadership and career preparation through competition and cooperative activities.
Back row, left to right: Charlie Elliott, Nicole Simler, Andrea Willing, Drew Groezinger
The following 91探花 Agriculture students competed at the national conference:
-Landscaping and Nursery Specialist Team of Danielle Hinshaw (Byron) and Drew Groezinger (Stockton) captured third place. Individually Drew Groezinger earned fourth place, and Danielle Hinshaw finished in sixth place.
-Dairy Specialist Team consisting of Charlie Elliott (Freeport), Nicole Simler (Freeport), and Andrea Willing (Rock City) earned a听fifth-place finish out of a very competitive field of 23 teams.听 The team placed second in the presentation and case study portions of the contest.听 Individually Charlie Elliott finished in fourth place, Andrea Willing earned 12th听place, and Nicole Simler was in 13th听辫濒补肠别.
-Drew Groezinger (Stockton) took third place Floriculture Employment Interview.
-Rebecca Alexander (Lanark) earned a fifth-place finish in the Career Planning-Agriculture Education and finished in eighth place in the Agriculture Education Employment Interview.
-Jamie Cullor (Freeport) took eighth place in Landscaping and Nursery Employment Interview.
-Andrea Willing (Rock City) captured eighth place in Dairy Production Employment Interview.
-Danielle Hinshaw (Byron) finished 10th听place in Career Planning-Ruminant Animal Systems.
-Stephanie Nadig (Stockton) took 10th听place in Livestock Production Employment Interview
Once again the 91探花 Agriculture Department would like to thank the State Bank, Freeport for sponsoring the 91探花 AG Club and our participation in PAS activities. HCC AG would also like to thank all of the area high school agriculture programs and instructors that help inspire our students to pursue their passion for agriculture.听
If you have any questions or would like more information about the HCC PAS organization, please contact Justin Ebert, Agriculture Instructor at听justin.ebert@highland.edu
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