Public speaking events see Southeastern FFA members compete

Three Southeastern FFA students recently competed in FFA public speaking competitions this past month in an effort to develop and improve skills in researching, organizing and delivering a speech on an agricultural topic. In extemporaneous speaking, students draw one of more than 75 topics at the competition before using a 30-minute preparation session to research and compose a speech between four and six minutes in length. Speeches are unprepared in advance of the competition and students must utilize the preparation time to carefully and quickly research topics they have drawn and compile notes and information to be used during the presentation in front of a panel of judges. Judges pose questions to the presenter on the topic after the conclusion of the speech. Lea Kimley placed first at the county competition and then went on to place third at the sub-district and district competitions. Also competing at the county event were Dylan Elliott, who placed third and Madison Carter, who placed fifth.