16 FFA Members on 5 FFA Leadership Development Teams competed at the Piney Woods District Contest yesterday at SFA against over 200 other FFA Members. After the dust settled our students placed *1st in 3 events*, *2nd in one * and *4th in another *and advanced to Area!!!! There are MANY opportunities in the FFA and speaking events are just a few.

*Here's a little breakdown of what students must do to earn there way to
Area:* *Agricultural Advocacy:* a team made up of 3-5 students whom give a
presentation over  they must memorize a script. This year our topic was "Marketing Agricultural Products". They must give this presentation to a panel of judges while using props, speaking abilities, and memorization skills in a 5-8 minute time frame. *This year Nate Morris, Rylee Morris, Megan Dunn, Madison McMillan, and Emma Locke won FIRST and advanced to the Area Contest!!*

*Job Interview:* students create a professional resume and cover letter in advance, and prepare to complete a hand written application, phone
interview, and personal interview with a panel of judges at the contest.
For the most part, this process is SPOT ON with true interviews at true
jobs (possibly a bit more grueling). *Konner Windham did an AMAZING job
this year at District placing 8th!!*

*FFA Creed Speaking:* a member presents the FFA Creed from memory and
answers questions about it's meaning, purpose, and relevance. This even is just one way to boost self-confidence, earn recognition, and develop
powerful, organized and professional communication skills. Junior Creed
Speaking is open to Freshmen FFA members and Senior Creed Speaking is for
FFA members in grades 10th and above. *Megan Dunn was the Piney Woods
District Junior Creed Speaking CHAMPION, while Whitlee Reed WON for the
senior division!*

*FFA Broadcasting:* A team of 3 members present an informative radio
program covering an agricultural subject that is current in nature and
local in content. The contest assumes that the chapter has a regularly
schedules non-commercial radio program once each month over a local
station. This year our team presented a broadcast over Giant Salvania and
it's affects on the lakes here in deep East Texas. *The team consisted of
Alec Lucas, Taighen Mathews and Whitlee Reed, they placed 9th!*

*Agricultural Skills:* the team is made up of 3-5 students whom give a
presentation over a demonstration of an Agricultural Skill. The
presentation is hands-on and must be completed in a 10-20 minute time
frame. Students them answer questions over their topics. This year our Ag
Skill was- "Processing a Chicken" where students had to exhibit the proper techniques of cutting it up, proper sanitation, and cleaning up after the process. *Our Greenhand team was Dalton Alexander, Lexi Moody, and Kaden LaRock- these students placed 2nd and advanced to Area!! Our Senior Skills team was: Zack Fauset, Madison McMillan, and Kamden Lucas, whom placed 4th out of 15 teams!*

These students worked countless hours before and after school to be
competitive at these contests! Those advancing will compete at SFA next
Tuesday for a chance to make it to state!!