A-C FFA Team Fourth in the Nation!

The National FFA Organization recently awarded members of theAmanda-Clearcreek FFA Agricultural Communications team a gold emblem.  The team competed in the National FFAAgricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE), held during the 81^stNational FFA Convention. Winnerswere announced at the annual awards banquet. As a sponsor, DTN/The Progressive Farmer and The NationalFFA Foundation provided funds for plaques, medals and scholarships for winningteams and high scoring individuals.

Members of theteam include: Alyssa Jenkins, Teran Pinkstock, Tara McCalla, Ryan Davis II andJosh Cordle. Their advisor and CDEcoach, Scott Sharp, of Amanda, Ohio accompanied the team.  Alyssa placed an amazing 8^thplace individually earning a gold rating and a $500 scholarship.  Teran placed 13^th with Taraplacing 17^th, both earning gold ratings. Ryan placed 50^th earning a silver rating.  Earning a silver rating, Josh placed 96^th.  The team only missed a total of 33points out of 900. There were 33teams in this CDE. This teamearned the right to compete after winning their state CDE last winter.  These members had no experience withthis contest coming into their District 7 CDE. This is a great accomplishment for these members in chapter.  They did a great job in representingtheir chapter and state.

The National FFAAgricultural Communications CDE is a competitive activity that tests students’skills in all areas of the agricultural communications field and evaluates howwell they can apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.

Participantsattend a simulated news conference and use the information gathered to completeindividual practicums in news story writing, press release writing, radiobroadcasting, web design, and graphic design. Prior to the event, students compile communication projectproposals related to innovative agricultural practices, management techniquesand marketing tools. Each teamthen creates a 15-minute presentation based on their proposal.  Members also compete in an editingexercise and a general communications quiz. The event is one of many educational activities at theNational FFA Convention in which FFA members practice the lessons learned inagricultural education classes. The event was held at the University Place Hotel in Indianapolis, Ind.

The National FFAAgricultural Communications CDE was sponsored by DTN/The Progressive Farmer ofMinneapolis, Minnesota, and The National FFA Foundation.  It is one of 23 different nationalevents that use competition to connect classroom learning and careers.  The National FFA Organization, formerlyknown as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of507,,763 student members- all preparing for leadership and careers in thescience, business, and technology of agriculture- as a part of 7,439 local FFAchapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  The National FFA changed its presentname in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture andagricultural education. The FFAmission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developingtheir potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career successthrough agricultural education. Visit www.ffa.org for moreinformation.

For Amanada-Clearcreek FFA Agricultural Communications CDE results from past years, click here.