FFA State Leadership Development Events Held in Alexandria

FFA members from across Louisiana gathered at the Central Louisiana Technical Community College in Alexandria for the annual State Leadership Development Events (LDEs). These events focus on student leadership development. The benefits received from participating in an LDE include public speaking skills, communication strategies, leadership growth, confidence, memorization skills, and teaching strategies. To qualify for the state events, students placed in the top two of each of four area events held earlier in the month.

Annie Heard from the Winnfield FFA Chapter won the Extemporaneous Speaking LDE. She says that competing in this event has long-term benefits for students. “This LDE allows me to practice real-world skills that I can apply in my present and future endeavors,” Heard said. “My topic was rural broadband access. I spoke about what resources are available to farmers and ranchers to access high speed internet. To prepare for this event, I learned much info by researching topics and practiced speaking about them.”

Heard’s classmate, Lauren Poole, also of Winnfield FFA, was named the state-winner in the Employment Skills LDE. “For this LDE, I participated in a mock interview for a wildland firefighter position with the U.S. Forest Service,” said Poole. “I’m interested in doing that for a summer job. This event required me to write a resume and cover letter and interview with a panel of judges. It gave me competence and confidence to succeed in life since I will have to apply for a real job in the future.”

Allie Hubbard from the Northshore FFA Chapter won the Gulf of Mexico Public Speaking LDE. Her speech was about lionfish and the impact that they have on the environment of the Gulf. Hubbard said, “Lionfish are non-discriminate eaters with no predators, so they are threatening the economic security of the Gulf’s fishing industry.” Participating in the Gulf of Mexico Public Speaking LDE helped Hubbard to understand more about the state’s top marine commodities. She said, “This speech gave me new insight into the daily struggles and issues faced by Louisiana’s fisherman.”

Poole summarized the impact of FFA’s Leadership Development Events. She said, “The small lessons learned through these events combine to give you a larger view of what leadership is and how you fit into a leadership role.”

The top finishers in this year’s events were:

Prepared Public Speaking – sponsored by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

1. Jasmine Jones, Winnfield

2. Jamira Guillory, Westlake

3. Allie Johnson, Kinder

4. Caden Conley, Natchitoches Central

FFA Creed Speaking – sponsored by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

1. Kathryn Armentor, Iowa

2. Madelyn Fossum, Central Lafourche

3. Anna Hebert, Assumption

4. Josie Bruchhaus, Jennings  

Top Middle School – Mia LeBouef, Bayou Blue Middle  

Gulf of Mexico Public Speaking – sponsored by the Sabine River Authority

1. Allie Hubbard, Northshore

2. Cameron Magee, Pine

3. Brooklyn Laughlin, Vinton

4. Sydney Bruchhaus, Elton

Extemporaneous Speaking – sponsored by Bunge

1. Annie Heard, Winnfield

2. Breck Vincent, Forest

3. Coeyn Wise, Kaplan

4. Blake Donnelly, Vinton

Employment Skills – sponsored by Bunge

1. Lauren Poole, Winnfield

2. Ellie Thames, Mangham

3. Cayl Doise, Elton

4. Lauryn Smith, Varnado

Geaux Teach Ag

1. Audrey Rayborn, Dutchtown

2. Sarah Hamilton, Union Parish

3. Maggie Hanks, Jennings

4. Juliana Carbalan, Elton 

Top Middle School - Jaden Sauseda, Bunkie Middle

Parliamentary Procedure

1. Elton

2. Jennings

3. Northshore

4. Ruston