FFA students compete in public speaking

FALLS VILLAGE — The Housatonic Valley FFA hosted this year’s FFA District One public speaking contests at Housatonic Valley Regional High School (HVRHS) on Thursday, March 20.The contest categories were: prepared public speaking, extemporaneous public speaking and reciting the FFA Creed — all as a part of national career development events.The participants were from the FFA chapters at HVRHS, Northwestern in Winsted,Wamogo and Woodbury High School.As this year’s reporter for the Housatonic Valley FFA, I had the chance to be a timer for the FFA Creed competition, which is an opportunity for freshmen and first-year members. The participants in this contest had to memorize and present the FFA Creed to four judges, who later assessed them by asking questions to determine a winner. I saw firsthand how well the students were able to carry themselves. The eventual winner was a student from Woodbury, Erin Korowatny, who really stood out as I watched from the sidelines. She was able to express the FFA Creed with great passion, and when the judges asked her questions her responses were always genuine. Housatonic FFA students claimed both first and second place in both the prepared public speaking and extemporaneous public speaking, with Olivia LaFontan placing first in extemporaneous (Patrick Purdy placing second); and Sam Bradway and Sam Weisman finishing first and second, respectively, in prepared public speaking.Both Olivia and Sam Bradway will represent our district at the state level in May, with a chance to advance to the national career development events.Note: Housatonic FFA students traveled to the state Capitol on March 20, which is the state’s annual Agricultural Day. They visited with state Rep. Roberta Willis (D-64). Chelsea Kearns is this year’s FFA reporter at Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

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