Winners of the National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) were announced Thursday during the third session of the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Dr. Kasee L Smith of the University of Idaho served as the superintendent of this year’s national event.
The top four individuals received cash awards to recognize their success in the event. The National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to prepare and present a factual speech on a specific agricultural issue in a well-thought-out and logical manner. Members select one topic from a choice of categories, have thirty minutes to prepare a four to six-minute speech and respond to five minutes of questions following delivery.
This event, held at the Hyatt and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, is one of many educational activities at the National FFA Convention & Expo in which FFA members practice the lessons learned in agricultural education classes.
Hear more about Caleb Mosts’ preparation for the contest, his involvement in the Ogalla FFA Chapter and his winning speech about farmers’ role in advocating for crop protection technologies in an interview with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.
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Brooke Nicole Casey of the New London FFA Chapter in Wisconsin works as a veterinary assistant at her local clinic and has also shadowed a large animal veterinarian at another operation. As an assistant, she works with vets to do checkups on healthy animals and exams on sick pets. She also works with the surgery and dental patients. She draws blood, gives vaccines, takes radiographs, assists with ultrasounds and more. Casey is supported by her parents, Bette and Glenn, and her FFA advisor, Crystal Retzlaff.
