Fredericktown FFA Attends Knox County Public Speaking CDE

Recently, the Fredericktown FFA Chapter sent four members to the Sub-District Knox County Public Speaking Career Development Event hosted at Centerburg High School. The public speaking contest is split into three different categories: extemporaneous public speaking, beginning prepared public speaking, and advanced prepared public speaking.

In extemporaneous public speaking, contestants draw a random topic from agricultural categories of their choice and have 30 minutes to craft a speech addressing that prompt. Fredericktown's contests in the area of extemporaneous speaking were Reagan Blanchard and Allyssia Dugan. Dugan placed third at the contest, drawing a topic asking her to verbalize reasoning for or against the use of farrowing crates in swine operations. Blanchard’s topic asked her to explore the connection between clean drinking water and an economy’s ability to thrive.

Blanchard’s score landed her a first-place finish at the contest, qualifying her for the District Contest at Clear Fork High School on Feb. 11.

In the beginning prepared public speaking contest for ninth and 10th grade students, participants pen a 5-7 minute speech on the topic of their choice to deliver to their panel of judges. These speeches must be fully original to the member and memorized before delivery. Member Jordyn Neighbarger completed her speech on the topic of fitting market animals and their impact on judges’ perceptions in the show arena. Neighbarger placed third as an individual and gained many skills for next year’s contest, where she intends to try her hand at the advanced division.

Advanced public speaking turns up the requirements in a 6-8 minute prepared speech, memorized to deliver to the judges. Senior Austin Frazier prepared and gave a speech on the impact of solar energy in Knox County. Frazier also placed third in his respective category and rounded out a successful career of four years of involvement in the Public Speaking CDE.