The weather was quite frigid, but our Schoharie Valley FFA members were on fire Saturday, Feb. 4, at the District 2 Leadership Development Contests in Pine Plains! They competed against 15 other FFA chapters in our region. Leadership Development Events focus on creating situations for members to demonstrate their abilities in public speaking, decision making, communication and their knowledge of agriculture and the FFA organization.
A number of members have qualified and are moving on to Eastern Region Substates in March to compete again to try and qualify for the state competition at NY Convention in May.
Employment Skills, a simulated job interview and employment application process: Yazmin Goodrich placed 3rd and will continue on to Substates! Jared Crandall was 9th and Griffen Lansing was 10th place.
Extemporaneous Speaking is a contest designed to test students agricultural knowledge and ability to think on their feet by developing a speech in 30 minutes or less. In the junior division, Caroline Borst placed 4th and will compete again at Substates. Chloe Armstrong competed in the Senior Division, making the finals by placing top 4 in her flight to compete again and placed 8th overall among all senior members. Honorable mention to Teagan Sobolewski who also competed in this challenging contest for the first time.
Prepared Public Speaking, a contest that requires competitors to write a speech on an agricultural topic, challenges students to develop both their writing and public speaking skills. In the senior division, Savannah Traverse placed 2nd with her speech on Whole Milk for Healthy Students that she’ll present again next month at Substates. Mollie Goblet competed in the junior division with her speech on Cache Valley Virus in Sheep, placing 8th overall among 6th-8th graders.
The Conduct of Chapter Meeting contest is a team event for junior members to effectively carry out a business meeting using parliamentary procedure. Schoharie’s team of Mollie Goblet, Caroline Borst, Addison Saddlemire, Caitlin Saddlemire, Marion Doherty, Sierra Carr & Peyton Hahn placed 4th overall – this group of young FFA members has also qualified for Eastern Region Substates!
Creed Speaking, an event requiring members to understand, memorize and perform the FFA creed, challenges students to develop their public speaking skills and recognize the importance of values within themselves and others. In the junior division, Peyton Salisbury placed 3rd and is headed to Substates. Lily Courtright placed 7th and Molly Repicky placed 8th in the senior division. Lily will also represent the chapter at Substates next month.
Congratulations and best of luck to all of our members competing at the next level of competition!
