Every year, the National FFA Organization hosts speaking competitions for FFA students in grades 9-11th to compete in. These competitions are different for each grade level, and are meant for students to expand their knowledge in agriculture management and improve their communication skills.
Sara Carney, Agricultural biology teacher, has been a leader for the AGHS FFA chapter for 21 years.
“There are various types of speaking events within FFA, including prepared public speaking, extemporaneous public speaking, Impromptu, Job Interview and Creed speaking, each focusing on different aspects of communication and agricultural knowledge,” Carney said.
Each of the competitions are only available for students who are part of an agriculture class, part of FFA, and in grades 9-11th, with each grade having their own competition. Students who want to showcase their animal at the Mid-State fair during the summer, are also required to participate in the speaking competition.
“The competition starts at the Chapter level (Arroyo Grande FFA) and then moves on to the sectional level then regional level and state competition,” Carney said.
Kyra Andersen (‘25) vice president of FFA, competed in the Sectional Contest, Mock Job Interviews, and was the only student to win this competition for AGHS placing 3rd out of 28 students.
“[For the event] you pick your job, and the people that interview you ask you about the job. You have to try to get hired, and whoever is the best wins.”
Photo Courtesy of Kyra Andersen
The Sectional competition was hosted by AGHS FFA in February with almost 300 students attending. Each competition was hosted in different classrooms.
FFA students are assigned a room, and are called to answer questions from the judges, after the judges release the students, the next competitor will go.
Dally Settle (‘27) competed in Creed, a memorization contest focused on agricultural skills, and won first place at the sectional competition.
The main reason for these speaking competitions is for students to learn about important skills that they should have for the future.
“The topics of these speeches often revolve around agricultural issues, such as agribusiness, environmental sustainability, food production, rural development, or agricultural policy,” Carney said. “Contestants are judged on their content, organization, delivery, and ability to effectively communicate their message to the audience.”
Students who are part of this competition not only represent the school’s FFA program, but also gain the valuable experience of public speaking, leadership and preparing themselves for a career.
Congratulations to all of the winners of these competitions, AGHS wishes you the best of luck in the state competition.
Photo Courtesy of Kyra Andersen
Top Students in competition:
Kyra Andersen (‘25)
Dally Settle (‘27)
Georgia Brough (‘27)
Brady Robertson (‘27)
Sofie Ryan (‘27)
Hayden Fry (‘27)
Lilly Meek (‘27)
