Indianapolis, Indiana – Last week, the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter traveled to Indianapolis to attend the 99th National FFA Convention and Expo, where Chapter member Emma Strickler made Chapter history by being named the National Champion in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Career Development Event (CDE).
As a graduate member of the FFA Chapter, Strickler thoroughly represented Amanda-Clearcreek with outstanding confidence, skill, and dedication as she competed against some of the nation’s top FFA members. Her victory marks an incredible milestone for the Chapter, as Amanda-Clearcreek FFA has never had a national champion CDE winner before, let alone a solo national competition.
The National Extemporaneous Public Speaking CDE challenges competitors to think quickly, communicate effectively, and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of different agricultural issues. Participants draw three random agricultural related topics from a pool of 18 options and then select one on which to deliver a four- to six-minute speech. Competitors are given just 30 minutes to research, organize their thoughts, and prepare their presentations before taking the stage and giving their speech to the audience.
In order to claim the national title, Strickler advanced through multiple rounds of competition, including preliminaries, semi-finals, and finals. Reaching the final round placed her among the top four competitors in the nation, which is an amazing accomplishment in itself. However, the excitement reached an entirely new level when the results were announced on stage at the National FFA Convention in front of thousands of FFA members in attendance.
Members of the A-C FFA Chapter gathered for the fourth general session of the National FFA Convention to hear the results. As the finalists were called and the anticipation continued to build, the Chapters excitement was beyond high when Strickler was named as the National Champion in Extemporaneous Public Speaking CDE. This moment became one that our members will never forget. Her hard work and dedication paid off in the biggest and best way possible!
Emma’s national championship is the culmination of years of dedication to the A-C FFA Chapter and especially, public speaking. Throughout her high school career, she competed at the national level every year, increasing her skills and achieving remarkable success throughout her journey.
Her FFA public speaking accomplishments include:
- Freshman Year: Third place in the State in FFA Creed Public Speaking.
- Sophomore Year: First place in the State in Beginning Prepared Public Speaking.
- Junior Year: First place in the State Advanced Prepared Public Speaking and Fifth place in the Nation in Advanced Prepared Public Speaking.
- Senior Year: First place in the State in Extemporaneous Public Speaking and the National Champion Extemporaneous Public Speaker.
Aside from Strickler’s outstanding public speaking career, she has also done an exceptional job in numerous other FFA competitions, earning plaques, banners, and state championships in the areas of Agricultural Communications, Agricultural Issues, Agricultural Sales, and Job Interview.
Emma’s journey is a testament to what can be accomplished through hard work and perseverance. Year after year, she has carried on our tradition of excellence, representing A-C FFA so incredibly well. Congratulations, Emma!
