Photo by Ciera Hughes The Red Bay FFA String Band performs for their classmates before traveling to Indianapolis Oct. 28 through Nov. 2 for the FFA competition. The band – which consists of seniors Myah Jackson, Bailey Bolton and Codey Cleveland, sophomores Aiden Quinn and Cody Wilemon and freshman Jaycee Vinson – ranked in the top 15 out of 42 acts.

Red Bay breaks top 15 at FFA nationals

When Red Bay’s FFA String Band set out for the national competition, the student musicians had one goal in mind: making it into the top 15. After countless hours of practice, they accomplished that goal.

The group of six arrived in Indianapolis Oct. 28 for the National FFA competition, where they competed in the talent portion. Of the 42 acts that performed, Red Bay’s group – which consists of seniors Myah Jackson, Bailey Bolton and Codey Cleveland, sophomores Aiden Quinn and Cody Wilemon and freshman Jaycee Vinson – was one of four group acts.

Last year, Red Bay barely missed breaking the top 15 with a ranking of 16. Members said this year they worked hard to address judges’ concerns to try to advance in the competition.

The group performed Oct. 29 in front of a panel of judges and was named in the top 15 the next day.

“They always represent our school and our students very well,” said Red Bay Principal Lance Mitchell. “They did a great job this year at nationals, especially coming in the top 15. We are very proud of them.”

As part of the top 15, Red Bay’s FFA String Band performed Oct. 31 on television in Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, for the chance to be named in the top three.

“They exceeded my expectation of them there, and I was so proud of them as I stood there and watched them,” said Red Bay FFA sponsor Jarod Massey.

Massey said although the nerves were present when performing at Lucas Oil Stadium, he told his students to take a moment to breathe and have fun performing on such a large stage.

“I wanted them to soak everything in and try not to be so nervous that they couldn’t enjoy the moment or the performance,” Massey said.

The band stayed in Indianapolis performing for the remainder of the week throughout the city before returning home Nov. 2.

Although Red Bay did not end up breaking the top three, Massey said it was an experience his students will not forget.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x