Former Henderson FFA student makes school history

HENDERSON, Texas ( KETK ) – In 2022, Trey Pinnell and his father started a business to provide mulch for flower beds called Pinnell Pine Straw.

“My dad noticed in homes in Florida when we went visited that they all used pine straw, and so he came up with the idea of starting to build pine straw,” Pinnell, forestry management and products proficiency award finalist, said.

Through the FFA students can apply for awards for projects, such as this one, that impact the community and Trey believes his business did.

“People get to use pine straw mulch, which is, in my opinion, better than normal ground mulch. I think it helps the community with that and the cost is just a little bit lower than using actual ground mulch,” Pinnell said.

He made it as a state finalist last year but didn’t win. After trying one more time his senior year at Henderson ISD, his agriculture teacher got the unexpected news first.

“I actually refreshed the computer a couple of times to make sure I was seeing his name on there,” Henderson ISD agriculture teacher Maurisio Elizondo said.

For the first time in the school’s history, a student made it as a top 4 finalist for the Forestry Management and Products Proficiency Award at the FFA National Convention.

“I’m already proud of him for making it this far, but, you know, to hear his name called on the big stage, you know, and maybe as the winner that I mean. That would be just, you know, the cherry on top and just to make it all better,” Elizondo said.

Trey graduated in May and now attends Stephen F. Austin State University, and hopes to continue in the forestry field. Whether he wins or loses, Pinnell says he is just grateful for the opportunity.

“Just a huge life accomplishment, it’s super big deal for me, and then just to kind of show everybody the hard work that I’m putting in and I’m glad to see it finally get recognized,” Pinnell said.

Pinnell will be traveling to Indianapolis for the FFA National Convention to take the stage on October 26th to see if he has won.

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