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Livingston FFA Makes A Mark at State Convention
Submitted by Candis Carraway, Livingston ISD FFA, September 5, 2008
Lubbock, Texas-Fifteen Livingston FFA members attended the 80th Annual Texas FFA Convention July 14th through 18th. While attending the convention members competed in speaking contests, received scholarships, awards, and degrees, represented their chapter in the Golden Horizon and National Chapter Award Programs, served on the Courtesy Corp. Committee, voted on the new state officers and business matters, as well as listened to some great motivational speeches and enjoyed some local attractions.
Rachel Bond was awarded a $10,000 scholarship through the Texas FFA Scholarship Program. Rachel was chosen to receive this scholarship based on her class rank, SAT/ACT scores, accomplishments in the FFA, and involvement with her Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. Rachel will be attending Sam Houston State University in the fall where she will be majoring in Agricultural Business with a minor in Communications. Rachel credits the FFA for teaching her leadership and communication skills and says, “The FFA has impacted my life in a positive manner from the time that I entered the first day of my eighth grade ag. class until I walked across the stage as a graduating senior. It is an honor to receive this scholarship which will help me to further my education in the field agriculture.”
Stephen Smith was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for winning the State Environmental Science Proficiency Award. Stephen received this award based on his research and experimentation of the effects different types of fertilizers have on the environment. Stephen will now be competing at nationals with this award.
Heather Smith was presented a $500 scholarship for being the Area IX winner of the John Justin Standard of the West Award. This award recognizes students who have outstanding work ethic, a love for agriculture and were heavily involved in the FFA.
Charles Moore competed in the State Sr. Prepared Public Speaking Contest where he was honored as being a semi-finalist. Charles qualified for this contest by winning the district level competition and placing second out of 90 schools at area. For this contest he researched alternative energy options and prepared and a presented a speech entitled “25 X 25; Alternative Energy Options.” Only the best twenty speakers in the state were invited to compete in this state contest.
Macye Taylor, Rhonda Mosley, Sidney Cox, William Gresham, Jared Barker, Josh Goin, Garrett McDaniel, Ben Plunkett, Charles Moore, and William Bond all received the highest degree bestowed by the the Texas FFA, the Lone Star FFA Degree. Members are eligible to apply for this honor after three years of active membership. Degree recipients are chosen based on scholarship, leadership, and FFA participation, as well as by having a well planned Supervised Agriculture Experience Program that they must keep elaborate records on.
The Livingston FFA also received a Gold Rating in the Golden Horizon Award Program and a Superior Rating in the National Chapter Award Program. The National Chapter Award Program ranks FFA Chapters based on their Program of Activities and successes throughout the year. Livingston was ranked as the 6th best chapter out of over 1,000 chapters in the state.
Charles Moore, who was elected as the 2008-09 Sam Houston District FFA President, served a vital role at the convention as a Courtesy Corp. member. His role was to help monitor the delegate floor during the convention.
Livingston FFA members also served as voting delegates. As delegates they voted on the incoming state officers and some business items that will effect the Texas FFA in the coming year. By taking part in these business sessions they were able to experience how parliamentary procedure works in a large setting while they helped shape the future of the Texas FFA.
The convention also featured three keynote speakers whose stories of facing challenges and working to overcome obstacles motivated FFA members to succeed. FFA members attending the convention were also inspired by the retiring addresses of the ten state officers who offered some final words of wisdom and advice as they ended their year of service as Texas FFA Officers.
Even though they were kept very busy at the convention, Livingston FFA members were able to visit some local attractions and learn about West Texas agriculture during their stay in Lubbock.
The 80th Texas FFA Convention was attended by more than 10,000 FFA members and guests including many university representatives and industry leaders.
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