Nine students from Clay High School’s Environmental & Agricultural Technologies Program with animal care and aquarium interests competed in State FFA Career Development Events held April 19, 2011 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus. 

Students competing in the area of Aquarium Management, and earning FIRST place team in the state were: Clay Luce, Thomas Gibbons, Bradley Breeden, and Christoffer Likens.   Clay Luce was the FIRST place individual in the state. And Thomas Gibbons placed THIRD individually. 

This team worked to identify over 200 fish and animals found in freshwater and saltwater aquariums.  They also worked to identify diseases, plants and foods, and demonstrate proper use of equipment used in the aquarium industry.  They performed water quality tests, set up and managed an aquarium, choose appropriate fish, and solved problems associated with aquarium care.  They also worked to solve a problem dealing with customers in a retail aquarium store setting.

In the area of Animal Management, students worked to identify over 200 breeds of dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and rodents that are common to the pet industry.  They demonstrated their ability to determine the sex of many species, properly restrain animals, and use appropriate equipment for specific animal care tasks.  They also worked to solve a problem dealing with customer service in a pet store. Earning ninth place team in Ohio, the members were: Michael Wiedmann, Amanda Tolliver, Mary Mominee, Chrysta Sellgren, and Ashley Tolliver.

Through the Environmental & Agricultural Technologies classes at Clay High School, students learn many skills needed in preparation for a variety of careers. These competitions encourage students in their preparation for college and careers in animal care, vet assistance, aquarium management, wildlife biology, park management, natural resources, fisheries management, and other environmentally related areas.  The competitions expand upon the material that is taught by Mr. Charlie Schneider, in his Environmental & Agricultural Technologies classes at Clay High School, and also prepares students for college and careers relating many diverse opportunities in environmental careers, horticulture, landscaping, animal care, and aquaculture.

 The Environmental & Agricultural Technologies Program is one of twelve Career Technology Programs at Clay High School in which students may chose from many career paths without leaving their school district.  Over 55% of the students at Clay High School are served by Career Technology Programs where they are trained for skilled employment immediately following high school, or immediate enrollment in post-secondary education, including apprenticeship and Associate through Bachelorette and Masters Degrees.