“The FFA creed, by E.M. Tiffany, I believe in the future of Agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds.” Those words started out the regional speech contest in Encampment. Along with the creed contest, the Extemporaneous and prepared contests were held. This regional contest was rescheduled due to the weather. This was the last day that was open before state convention, next week. The convention is next Wednesday through Saturday.
At the third National FFA Convention Tiffany created the five paragraph speech that each freshman learns and recites. This is the basis of Agriculture and the root of the FFA Organization. In the contest there were six contestants. After they finished presenting the creed the contestants answered questions. Baggs Freshman Natalie Duncan and Cheyenne East Freshman Kelly Fisher were the winners of the creed contest. Cheyenne Central Freshman Kylie Foster was the alternate.
Extemporaneous had 5 contestants and speeches were given on Solar and Wind Energy, to Land availability for grazing and public access. Student’s speeches lasted four to six minutes and were asked questions on their topic. The co-winners were Cheyenne Central Senior Emily Voigt and Laramie Senior High Senior Libby Lankford. Laramie Senior High Senior Taylor Haley was the alternate.
Land Trust, Agro-terrorism, Comparing Apples to Oranges, Farm Subsidies, Rodeo and Horse Show Ethics were the speech topics for the prepared contest. Students were asked questions that the agriculture education advisors had prepared for them. Laramie High School Senior Haley, with her speech on Agro-terrorism, and Cheyenne Central Sami Heitsch, with her speech on Preserving the Western Tradition was the winners. Encampment High School Senior Jamie Marchetti was the alternate with her speech on dieting systems.
The Snowy Range FFA is set to compete in many different competitions this year at state convention. The students are leaving April 15 and returning April 18.