I collaborated closely with education reporters Tristan Tirado and David Sternfield to coordinate access for this story. I briefed our photographer Kris Sand about the assignment, then made an edit with him after. I also connected with school administrators to ensure that the names of students and other caption information was accurate. Hallsville FFA held a rib smoking competition for their middle school group. It was the first year that Hallsville offered FFA for middle schoolers.
Hallsville Middle School eighth graders Braden Heet, left, and Chase Melloway, right, organize their sauces before starting their smokers on March 2 at Hallsville High School. This is the first year that Hallsville Middle School has participated in FFA.
Micah Banks cuts through his finished ribs on March 2 at Hallsville High School. Six students were selected to join a middle school barbecue team.
Hallsville eighth grader Caitlyn Harris prepares her ribs for the smoker on March 2 at Hallsville High School. Students brought their own sauces and spices and competed in a rib cook-off to decide who would join a middle school barbecue team.
A student's ribs sit in a tray on March 2 at Hallsville High School. Students watched YouTube videos on how to present their ribs to judges while their ribs were cooking.
Travis Kinkade shows students how to square ribs on March 2 at Hallsville High School. Kinkade teaches physical education at Hallsville High School. Many teachers at the high school applaud the impact ag-ed classes have had on the students. “A lot of kids end up taking our class, then we set the hook in ‘em,” said Caleb Martin, one of the two main ag-ed teachers. “They’re with us all four years.”
From left, Hallsville Middle School eighth graders Zane Wood, Evan Wildenhan and Micah Banks check on their ribs on March 2 at Hallsville High School. They were competing for spots on a new middle school barbecue team. Hallsville’s ag-ed program has more than 150 students this year.
