Congratulations go out to four Middletown High School FFA students who placed second overall in the National Junior Horticulture Association's Horticulture Identification contest in Wisconsin. Shannon Drum, Amber Keeney, Alyssa King and Kiley Slimmer will go on to the National FFA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"The girls are very excited about their accomplishments. Their coach, community member Myrtle Sturtz, did a great job," says Middletown High agricultural educator and FFA advisor Sarah Shriner, in a statement.

The four will be traveling to Indianapolis with other Middletown High students, and several other FFA chapters in Frederick County. They will compete in events such as Veterinary Science, Dairy Cattle Evaluation,  Job Interview and Career Development events.

The National Junior Horticultural Association was founded in 1934 and was the first organization in the world dedicated to youth and horticulture.

The National FFA, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, has about 523,000 student members. The organization prepares students for careers in science, business and technology of agriculture. There are 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.