Florida FFA Career & Leadership Development Events Sub-Districts Preliminaries Showcase Student Excellence

On December 12, 2024, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Inverness, Florida, buzzed with activity as Citrus High School hosted the Florida FFA Career & Leadership Development Events (CDE/LDE) Sub-Districts Preliminaries. Middle and high school FFA students from Citrus, Sumter, and Hernando counties gathered to showcase their agricultural knowledge, leadership skills, and passion for community service.

The Florida FFA Association is renowned for fostering premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. As part of Career and Technical Education (CTE), the organization equips students with practical skills in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and leadership, encouraging innovation and a commitment to service. Through hands-on learning and competitive events, FFA prepares its members for diverse careers in agriculture and environmental sciences, building a foundation for lifelong success.

A Day of Rigorous Competition

The day’s events tested students’ abilities across a range of leadership and career development areas. Among the featured competitions were Creed Speaking, where students demonstrated their understanding of the FFA creed, and Extemporaneous Public Speaking, which required participants to craft and deliver speeches on assigned topics with minimal preparation. Middle school teams excelled in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, demonstrating precision and teamwork in conducting meetings, while the Parliamentary Procedure competition challenged students to navigate complex decision-making processes using formal meeting rules. The Prepared Public Speaking event allowed students to present well-researched speeches, showcasing their ability to communicate effectively on agricultural topics. High school students also competed in the Safe Tractor Operations event, which tested their practical knowledge of tractor safety and operation.

As one of the judges for the Parliamentary Procedure LDE, I had the privilege of working alongside esteemed colleagues: Sumter County Schools CTE Coordinator Casey Ferguson, UF/IFAS Extension Citrus County Agent Dr. Marnie L. Ward, and former agriculture teacher Debbie Parker. The Parliamentary Procedure teams, along with their skilled Chairs, demonstrated remarkable mastery of parliamentary law. Drawing on my experience presiding over large assemblies and board meetings, I can confidently say that these FFA students could rival seasoned elected officials in their understanding and execution of parliamentary procedure.

In the high school Parliamentary Procedure LDE, South Sumter claimed first place, while Crystal River High School earned a commendable second. Crystal River Middle School shone brightly, taking first place in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies LDE, while Lorelai Heath delivered an outstanding performance to secure first place in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE, advancing to the District level. Other standouts included Trenton Henick of Citrus High School, who excelled in the Safe Tractor Operations CDE, earning first place and a spot in the FAA District competition. In the Creed Speaking LDE, Lecanto High School’s Caylee Bugge delivered an exceptional performance to secure first place, and she too advances to the District competition.

A Celebration of Talent and Opportunity

The achievements of these young leaders are a testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of FFA members. These students exemplify what it means to be entrepreneurs, public speakers, problem-solvers, team players, and community supporters. Their respect, work ethic, and leadership leave a lasting impression.

This remarkable event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of agriculture teachers, FFA advisors, and volunteers. Special recognition goes to Paul Spaulding, Citrus High School agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, whose exceptional coordination and dedication ensured the day’s success. We also extend our gratitude to the FAA Sub-District Co-Chairs, Kelsey Wright of Lecanto High School and Dayna Raybon of South Sumter High School, for their outstanding leadership and support in organizing this event. Thanks are also due to Cornerstone Baptist Church for providing its facility and unwavering support.

If you know a student who is interested in FFA, encourage them to speak with their school’s FFA advisor or visit www.flaffa.org to learn more about this dynamic organization and its opportunities in our schools.

Full list of 2024 Florida FAA (CDE/LDE) Sub-Districts Preliminaries awards winners:

Creed Speaking LDE (Middle School/High School)

1. Lecanto High School – Caylee Bugge
2. Lecanto Middle School – Emeleigh Fallanca
3. South Sumter Middle School – Nastacha Mendez

Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE (High School)

1. South Sumter High School – Landon Marshall
2. Brooksville – Willem Glasbrenner
3. Wildwood High School – Moella Lipham

Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE (Middle School)

1. Crystal River Middle School – Lorelie Heath
2. Parrott Middle School – Abbigail Eichholtz
3. Lecanto Middle School – Madison Bullock

Prepared Public Speaking LDE (Middle School)

1. South Sumter Middle School – Gisselle Garcia
2. Lecanto Middle School – Drake Derby
3. Crystal River Middle School – Taylor Secore

Prepared Public Speaking LDE (High School)

1. Brooksville – Kamora Everson
2. Citrus High School – Finn Hutchinson
3. The Villages – Alison Wilson

Safe Tractor Operations CDE (High School)

1. Citrus High School – Trenton Henick
2. Lecanto High School – Parker Fortier
3. Crystal River High School – Alison Wilson

Parliamentary Procedure LDE (High School)

1. South Sumter High School
2. Crystal River High School
3. Wildwood High School

Parliamentary Procedure LDE (Middle School)

1. South Sumter Middle School
2. Lecanto Middle School

Opening and Closing Ceremonies LDE (Middle School)

1. Crystal River Middle School
2. Lecanto Middle School
3. The Villages Middle School

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