FARMINGTON – Deftly wielding chain saws for precision cuts and throwing pulp for accuracy brought home first place wins for forestry students from Foster Vocational Center.

Fourteen students participated in the 32nd annual high school Logger’s Meet held May 15 and 16 at host school, Dyer Brook, which is near Houlton, said teacher Dean Merrill on Tuesday.

“The students did well,” said Merrill as he explained the demonstration of their learning and use of safety and efficiency measures. They were in competition with other schools, including Region 9 from Rumford/Mexico, Region 3 from Lincoln, Region 9 from Oxford/South Paris and Region 2, Dyer Brook.

Composed of juniors and seniors, the class, team-taught by Merrill and Ron Hodgdon, did some practicing the week before but relied mostly on what they learned from the forestry class that gives them a well-rounded and practical approach to forestry.

“It’s a hands-on class that always brings us outside,” said student Paul Harnden.

While some students’ exposure to the forestry industry ends upon high school graduation, Merrill said, five students have made plans to further their education on heavy equipment while another will go for welding and another has earned a Verso apprenticeship.

The class left for northern Maine on Wednesday and spent time touring the Patton Logging Museum before competing all day Thursday and until noon on Friday, he said. Competitions such as felling, boring and spring-pole release were judged for safety and efficiency by professional industry standards, he said. A few “fun” competitions were also held and awed students from Dyer Brook, he said. With grades K-12 at the host school, teachers brought younger students out to watch some activities, he added.

Foster Tech students also took second and third place in some competitions.