Students Score Well in Competitions, Gear Up for Sub-Districts
by JESSICA ANDERSON
Polk County FFA members have been hard at work the past few months preparing for a variety of events. Everything from creed speaking, public speaking, practicing forestry skills, citrus evaluation, tool identification, and even tractor driving have been on the agenda for the past few weeks.
On November 1, we held our county FFA creed speaking competition at Auburndale High School. The FFA Creed outlines the organization’s beliefs regarding the industry of agriculture, FFA membership and the value of citizenship and patriotism. The Creed is recited by FFA members as part of the requirements to earn the Greenhand FFA Degree. The purpose of the creed speaking leadership development event is to develop the public speaking abilities of seventh- , eighth- , and ninth-grade FFA members as well as develop their self-confidence and contribute to their advancement in the FFA degree program.
Our top-performing students were:
- First place: Jadyn Davis, Southwest Middle School
- Second place: Stephens, Lake Gibson Senior
- Third place: Madison Brown, Haines City Senior
Congratulations to these students and others who participated! We wish you luck in the next round of competition — sub-districts on December 13!
On November 29, we held our county citrus career development event and our county tool identification career development event at Frostproof Middle/Senior High. Providing learning activities related to the production and management of citrus fruits is important to further encourage employment and ownership within this industry. Students completed identification practicums in citrus fruit, rootstocks, and leaves, pests, pathogens, parasites and predators, diseases and disorders, as well as common weeds. Congratulations to the following schools and students on their success!
Citrus High School Results
- Frostproof A
- Frostproof B
- George Jenkins A
High Individual- Autumn Ellis, Frostproof Senior
Citrus Middle School Results
- Frostproof A
- Dundee Ridge A
- Bok North
High Individual-Josephine Sutter, Frostproof
The Tool Identification Event is designed to develop the ability to correctly identify the names and uses of a variety of tools common to the Agricultural Education Curriculum. Students will take a written exam designed to test their knowledge regarding the proper use(s) and/or categorization of randomly selected tools from the official list. Congratulations to the following schools and students on their success!
Tool ID: Middle School
- Frostproof B
- Southwest A
- Dundee Ridge A
High Individual-Nathan Boyd, Frostproof Middle
Our next round of competitions will be held December 13 at the Sub-District level. Polk county is divided into the north and south, and students from each area will compete in creed speaking, prepared public speaking, extemporaneous public speaking, opening and closing ceremonies, parliamentary procedure, and tractor driving. Those who are successful will continue on to the District level competition.
Did you compete in the FFA Career and Leadership Development Event as a student? Or are you a supporter of agricultural education and looking for a way to connect with our schools? There are opportunities to volunteer, help judge FFA events, read agricultural books to the local elementary schools in your community, financially sponsor students for leadership development opportunities, and other ways you can support agricultural education programs! Those interested are welcome to email Jessica Anderson at Jessica.anderson@polk-fl.net to determine in what capacities you may be able to support our agricultural education programs.