Dec. 5 -- BROOKINGS, S.D. -- On Dec.1-2, over 600 South Dakota FFA members met in Box Elder for the State FFA Leadership Development Events. Students qualified through district competitions, advancing the top two teams and top three individuals from each of the eight FFA districts in South Dakota. While waiting for competitive events, students had the opportunity to interact with agriculture industry leaders, including the SD FFA Star Partners, at the Career Expo. FFA members and chapters were recognized for their success in eleven leadership areas at the awards ceremony, and winners in ten of the categories advance to nationals next fall.
In Ag Broadcasting/Journalism, students have 30 minutes to prepare a five-minute agricultural radio newscast and then "air" it.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. Shyla Tvedt, Deuel; 2. Mia Fitzgerald, Philip; 3. Haydn McGillivary, Watertown Area.
In the Silver Medal Division: 4. Ethan Buchmann, Deubrook; 5. Reagan Pearson, Tri-Valley; 6. Quinn Boer, Deubrook.
In Ag Communications, participants work as a team of communication consultants to develop a written media plan, present the plan to a panel of judges, and, as individuals, apply what they have learned during practicums, a quiz and editing exercise. This challenges students to communicate effectively while advocating to consumers about agriculture and telling the FFA story.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. Beresford FFA Chapter; 2. West Central FFA Chapter.
In the Silver Medal Division: 3. Parker FFA Chapter; 4. Harrisburg FFA Chapter.
In Ag Issues, a team of 3-7 students discuss the pros and cons of a major agricultural issue facing their area. This event is sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. Howard FFA Chapter; 2. West Central FFA Chapter.
In the Silver Medal Division: 3. McCook Central FFA Chapter; 4. Lyman FFA Chapter.
Ag Sales team members work together to develop a strategy for selling pre-determined products to specific customer scenarios. Participants also practice their individual sales skills by selling an agricultural product to a customer.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. McCook Central FFA Chapter; 2. Watertown FFA Chapter.
In the Silver Medal Division: 3. Brookings FFA Chapter; 4. West Central FFA Chapter.
Ag Sales top individual sellers were also selected from each presentation room. The top individual sellers were Dylan McGregor, McCook Central; Sam Handberg, West Central; Braxton Yackley, Selby Area; Carley Crist, Beresford.
The Conduct of Chapter Meetings event is designed for high school freshmen to present a mock FFA meeting.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. McCook Central FFA Chapter; 2. Willow Lake FFA Chapter.
In the Silver Medal Division: 3. Montrose FFA Chapter; 4. Harrisburg FFA Chapter.
Creed Speaking participants recite the FFA Creed and answer questions posed by the judges.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. Chloe Sime, Faulkton; 2. Kobi Miller, Sturgis; 3. Tessa Burke, Bridgewater-Emery.
In the Silver Medal Division: 4. Cooper VanderWal, Sioux Valley; 5. Braylon Plucker, Lennox-Sundstrom; 6. Rylin Fods, Tri-Valley.
Employment Interview Skills challenges FFA members to complete a job application, write a letter of application and resume, participate in an interview, and compose a follow-up letter.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. Atlee Olson, Belle Fourche; 2. Connor May, Brookings; 3. Karley Luke, Marion.
In the Silver Medal Division: 4. Isabella Smithback, Harrisburg; 5. Aedan Klawonn, Madison Central; 6. Brody Stenger, Sioux Falls CTE Academy.
In Extemporaneous Public Speaking, an unrehearsed 4 -- 6-minute speech is written and presented onsite. Each contestant is allowed only 30 minutes to prepare.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. Laney Andrews, Beresford; 2. Bradyn Small, Langford Area; 3. Colton Stiefvater, McCook Central.
In the Silver Medal Division: 4. Skyler Plucker, Lennox Sundstrom; 5. Gage Anderson, Lemmon; 6. Briella Wettlaufer, Howard.
In Marketing Plan, teams of students determine a local community need and create a complete strategy for marketing a new agricultural product or company to fill that need.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. Lemmon FFA Chapter; 2. McCook Central FFA Chapter.
In the Silver Medal Division: 3. Harrisburg FFA Chapter; 4. Doland FFA Chapter.
Parliamentary Procedure teams, consisting of six members per team, demonstrate an FFA business meeting.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. Willow Lake FFA Chapter; 2. Belle Fourche FFA Chapter.
In the Silver Medal Division: 3. Harrisburg FFA Chapter; 4. Brookings FFA Chapter.
The All-State Parliamentary Procedure Team is comprised of the top individual officer from each position in the Parliamentary Procedure CDE. These competitors are the best-of-the-best in their respective position.
Chair: Kate Williamson, Belle Fourche; Members At-Large: Wyatt Lesmeister, Belle Fourche; Kadee Frankfurth, Willow Lake;-Raif Parmeter, Belle Fourche; Izzie Smithback, Harrisburg; Jazlyn Olson, Belle Fourche.
In Prepared Public Speaking, each contestant presents a 6 -- 8-minute agriculture-oriented speech and answers five minutes of related questions. The event is sponsored by Hefty Seed Company/Ag PhD.
In the Gold Medal Division: 1. Bennett Gordon, Sturgis; 2. Josie Nold, Brookings; 3. Julia Tinker, Brandon Valley.
In the Silver Medal Division: 4. Vivian Johnson, Madison Central; 5. Alexis Christensen, Garretson; 6. Delaney Zoss, Mitchell.