Edmond FFA Member Wins State FFA Extemporaneous Speech Contest

RELEASE DATE CONTACT: Kent Boggs

May 2, 2018 405-743-5498

Edmond FFA Member Wins State FFA Extemporaneous Speech Contest

By Mattie Moore, Media Intern

STILLWATER, Okla. — Jessica Kenville of Edmond FFA won first place in the extemporaneous division of the State FFA Speech Contest during the 2018 Oklahoma FFA Leadership Development Events at Oklahoma State University April 27.

The extemporaneous division allows FFA members to give a four- to six-minute speech on a designated agricultural topic. Once the contestants select their topic, they have 30 minutes to prepare their speeches. They are then judged on speech content, presentation and ability to answer questions.

Calvin Johnson of Vinita FFA, Addison Themer of Kingfisher FFA, Cassidy Baughman of Lone Grove FFA and Reagan Stephens of Weatherford FFA placed second through fifth, respectively.

The extemporaneous division is sponsored by Dr. Scott Stewart, Doug and Kathy Harryman, the Carl Laubach family, Rhett Laubach-YourNextSpeaker and Vivayic. Steve and Merrie Lynn Vaughan will provide a cash award to the team for expenses related to participation in the national contest. American Farmers & Ranchers will provide a $1,000 state winner scholarship.

The OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources hosts the Oklahoma FFA Leadership Development Events each April. Trophies and medals are sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma.

FFA is an integral part of the Agricultural Education division in the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education system. With nearly 27,000 members and 360 chapters, the Oklahoma FFA Association is the fourth-largest state FFA association. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the Oklahoma FFA, visit okffa.org.

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Jessica Kenville (left) of the Edmond FFA Chapter won first place in the extemporaneous speech contest during the 2018 Oklahoma State University Career Development Events at Oklahoma State University on April 27.

Pistol Pete (right) joins Brady Bond (second from right) of Farm Credit of Enid, and Rob Terry (third from right), OSU Agricultural Communications, Education and Leadership department head, to congratulate Kenville as well as Calvin Johnson of the Vinita FFA Chapter who placed first and second, respectively.