Amanda, Ohio – This year, the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter made both Chapter and State history. The Ohio FFA State Public Speaking Career Development Event (CDE) was held on March 7th at Marysville High School. In order to earn a spot to compete in the State competition, members had to advance from both the County and District competitions by placing top two in their respective categories.
The Ohio FFA Public Speaking CDE consists of four different categories in which a member can compete: FFA Creed Speaking, Beginning Prepared Speaking, Advanced Prepared Speaking, and Extemporaneous Speaking. This year, we had five members earn their way to compete in the State Competition.
Jazmine Arledge competed in the FFA Creed Speaking competition where she placed in the top 10 in the State of Ohio. The Creed Speaking CDE requires freshman members to recite the FFA Creed written by E.M. Tiffany, followed by 5 minutes of follow up questions about the FFA Creed.
Grace Martin and Riley Strickler both competed in the Beginning Prepared Speaking competition where they both placed in the top ten in the State of Ohio. In the Beginning Prepared Speaking CDE, members are required to memorize and recite a 5-7 minute speech based on an agricultural topic of their choice, followed by a five minute question and answer session.
Troy Busch and Emma Strickler both competed in the Extemporaneous Speaking CDE. The Extemporaneous Speaking CDE requires members to choose a random agricultural topic, research that topic for 30 minutes, and then give a 4-6 minute speech, followed by questions regarding the topic. Emma Strickler placed first in the State of Ohio, making her one of only six FFA members in Ohio FFA history who have won both Senior Prepared and Extemporaneous Speaking State Championships. Strickler also won the Beginning Prepared Speaking CDE. A former A-C FFA member, Josie Montoney, has also earned this rare honor. In October, Strickler will be representing both our very own Chapter and the entire State of Ohio at the 99th Annual National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana! Troy Busch placed second in the State of Ohio in Extemporaneous Speaking. This fall, Busch will be traveling to Boston, Massachusetts to compete in the Eastern Region competition held at the Big E, along with other FFA members in the Eastern Region who earned their way to compete in the Regional contest in this particular CDE area. This is the first time in Ohio FFA history that the top two in the State have represented the same FFA Chapter!
We are so proud of all of our members for their hard work and dedication this year!
