FFA team at national convention

MEEKER I Members of the Meeker FFA Chapter in Colorado were one of 31 teams participating in the National FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE). The event was held in conjunction with the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The team, led by advisor Trina Smith, was awarded a bronze emblem. Members also competed for individual awards with 150 other participants.
Torrie Gerloff received a silver emblem, Kaitlyn Dinwiddie received a bronze emblem, Maclaine Shults received a silver emblem, Kristan Atchley received a bronze emblem and Kay Lynn Dunham received a bronze emblem.
The top six individuals and the national winning team members received scholarships to further their education at a post-secondary institution of their choice. The scholarships and the agricultural communications event are sponsored by the National FFA Foundation.
The National FFA Agricultural Communications CDE is a competitive activity that tests students’ skills in all areas of the agricultural communications field and evaluates how well they can apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.
Participants attend a simulated news conference and use the information gathered to complete individual practicums in news story writing, press release writing, radio broadcasting, web design and graphic design. Prior to the event, students compile communication project proposals related to innovative agricultural practices, management techniques and marketing tools. Each team then creates a 15-minute presentation based on their proposal. Members also compete in an editing exercise and a general communications quiz.
The event, held at the University Place Hotel in Indianapolis, Ind., is one of many educational activities at the national FFA convention in which FFA members practice the lessons learned in agricultural education classes.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 523,309 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture — as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The 84th National FFA Convention was held Oct. 19-22, 2011 in Indianapolis, Ind., and draws 50,000-plus FFA members, advisors and guests from across the country. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ffa.org for more information and follow us on Facebook, and Twitter and FFA Nation.