Brownwood High School Ag Issues Team was recognized at the Brownwood City Council meeting on Tuesday for their accomplishments in both competition and in their topic used for competition, the city’s proposed water reuse project.
The contest required that students research and analyze current agricultural issues; creating a portfolio and creating a presentation that stressed both the pros and cons of their chosen issue. The team selected the water reuse project and presented their program over 15 times throughout the city of Brownwood and Brown County.
They competed in several contests placing first at district, 2nd at area and 17th out of 176 teams at the state competition.
The team is coached by Mitzi Cockerham and its members include seniors Erin Collier, Kember Croft, Jordyn Senkirik, and Tyairra Stredic; junior William Rice, and freshman Alex Hetzel.
Cockerham stated that seeing Dr. Chris Stephens opposed to the project was very interesting and that the state judges really liked the project topic, that it was the only one of its kind at the competition. She said that one judge even asked if next year’s team will do a follow up presentation so that the outcome could be discussed.
Mayor Stephen Haynes gave the team his appreciation.
“I appreciate that you brought this project to a public debate, creating a true open dialogue. I very much appreciate what you are trying to do in understanding the issues and understanding both sides and drawing a conclusion about this,” said Haynes.
Haynes, also an attorney, stated that legal practice is similar to debate in that sides often are not chosen but rather assigned and how difficult it can be to argue certain sides of an issue.
“I very much appreciate the challenge that brings and I know that is not always easy to do,” Haynes said. “Sometimes you have to set aside your personal beliefs and argue the issues and that is very difficult to do. Thank you for engaging in debate and for helping our community with this issue.”
Pictured at top is Mayor Haynes showing his appreciation to the group during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
