For the first time in its history, the North East ISD Agriscience Magnet Program students have bested traditional agriscience mechanics powerhouses from around Texas. Tyler Linscomb, of the James Madison FFA chapter, took high individual honors at the State FFA Tractor Technician contest on March 10 during the Houston Livestock show. Linscomb's teammates Royce Kratz and Tyler Jamieson combined scores with Linscomb to finish second in the team competition from the top twenty qualifiers in the statewide event. The Houston Livestock Show awarded tools to team members valued at approximately $18,000. Jamieson also received a full scholarship to WyoTech valued at $25,000 as a result of his high placement in the competition.

The state FFA Career Development Event includes three parts. A one hundred question written exam over mechanical, electrical and hydraulic theory followed by one hundred points for diagnosis of twenty different tractor components. The written test and component evaluation scores are combined to determine the top ten teams that advance to the finals. The conclusion of the competition pits the top ten teams on the floor of the Astrohall where team members diagnose and repair five deliberately installed malfunctions in new agricultural tractors. With repairs complete, ne team member drives the tractor around an obstacle course in the arena while teammates complete a service work order and store their tools, all against the clock. The trio of Madison seniors qualified for the state contest by placing second at the Area VII contest held in January in Waco during the Mid-Tex Farm and Ranch Show.

"It was a great day for James Madison FFA," stated Don Henson, ag engineering instructor. "I can't remember a team working harder than these guys. They beat some teams with a lot more farm equipment background that have traditionally owned this contest. The work we did rebuilding those old tractors for the Tractor Restoration contest was a huge key in getting these guys in a position to be successful."