By Andi Anderson

Highland Community College (HCC) displayed remarkable achievements at the 2023 Illinois Professional Agricultural Student Organization (PAS) Conference held at Illinois State University's Hancock Stadium on November 16, 2023. Twenty HCC Agriculture students participated in diverse contests, showcasing their talent and dedication. 

The competitions comprised employment interviews, career planning projects, agricultural sales presentations, teaching demonstrations, and knowledge-based exams in crop science, landscape horticulture, farm business management, and equine science. To compete, students diligently prepared resumes, career plans, lesson demonstrations, sales pitches, and studied relevant materials. 

Professional Agriculture Students (PAS) Organization, focused on fostering leadership and career readiness, witnessed outstanding performances by Highland students. Notable individual achievements include first-place wins in various categories such as Agricultural Education Teaching Demonstration, Agriculture Sales Employment Interview, and Agricultural Education Career Planning Project. 

Highland's Equine Science team secured third place, highlighting collective excellence among students. 

The upcoming Illinois PAS Spring Competition in February 2024 will feature further contests including Livestock, Dairy, Soils, Precision Technology, public speaking, and college bowl competitions. The academic year culminates with the National PAS Conference in March 2024, providing students with another platform to showcase their skills and expertise. 

Highland Community College continues to nurture exceptional agricultural talent, emphasizing their commitment to excellence in the field. 

Photo Credit: Illinois State University