Cedar Key FFA has strong showing in leadership contest

By MacKenzie Kirkbride
FFA Middle School Reporter
Levy County’s four powerhouse FFA schools met last Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the First United Methodist Church in Williston to compete in the first level of the FFA leadership contests.
The contests were Prepared Public Speaking, Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Creed Speaking and Parliamentary Procedure. These contests are considered by many as the most prestigious contests in FFA.
The FFA members from Cedar Key FFA had a great showing at the events. Sarah Bartholemy placed first in the Creed Speaking event. This event requires the member to recite the FFA creed (five paragraphs) from memory and answer questions about its meaning to the FFA.
Cheyenne Clanton also competed in this event but did not place. Sarah will advance to the district competition in January and compete against other sub-district winners.
Lauren Bartholemy placed second in the prepared public speaking event with a wonderful  speech about water quality.
Caitlin Goss earned  second place in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking contest. In this event the student does not know the topic until arriving at the contest. They are then given 30 minutes to write and present a 4-6 minute speech.
Our middle school Opening and Closing Ceremonies team placed fourth (by one point…ouch!). The team members included President Taylor Davison, Vice President Nathanael Brinkman, Sentinel Larry Twinam, Secretary Walker Emrick, Student Advisor Ashlyn Allen, Treasurer Abby Osteen and Reporter MacKenzie Kirkbride.
The teams were so close that only nine points separated all four of the schools. The OCC contest is for middle school members only. All teams are coached by our FFA advisor and Ag teacher Dennis Voyles.
“We are very proud of all of our members achievements,” Voyles said. “The FFA mission centers on three main components—premier leadership, personal growth and career success.”
 

Front row from left: Larry Twinam, Nathanael Brinkman, MacKenzie Kirkbride and Caitlin Goss. Second row, from left: Taylor Davison, Abby Osteen and Lauren Bartholemy. Back row, from left: Walker Emrick, Ashlyn Allen, Cheyenne Clanton, Sarah Bartholemy and Mikayla Pope.