Milbank FFA chapter members place at State FFA leadership events

The Milbank FFA Chapter had several members place at the South Dakota State FFA Leadership Development Events on Dec. 5-6 in Pierre.

Hattie Mullenbach was selected as one of the top FFA officers in their position in the FFA Parliamentary Procedure event. Members are selected by a combination of their test scores and presentation scores. There are only five FFA members selected for this recognition. Veronica Fonder placed in the bronze area for the FFA Creed Speaking Development Event.

Veronica Fonder placed bronze in the FFA Creed Speaking Career Development Event. The purpose of the FFA Creed Speaking Career Development Event is to develop agricultural leadership through providing for member participation in speaking and interpreting the creed. Additionally, the event strives to encourage public speaking abilities, self-confidence and FFA involvement. Because the FFA Creed provides a framework of the organization’s beliefs regarding the agricultural industry, FFA membership, and the value of citizenship, the Creed is also recited by FFA members as part of the requirements to earn the Greenhand FFA Degree.

The Milbank FFA Parliamentary Procedure team placed sixth in the Parliamentary Procedure Career Development Event. In the event, the FFA members must complete a 50-question test over parliamentary procedure, which includes how to conduct a meeting and using a variety of motions. The team then must perform a mock meeting using an assigned topic with a 12-minute time limit. Each FFA officer team has to perform a given motion and demonstrate a second parliamentary procedure, not on the given list, in front of a group of judges. After the meeting, the judges then ask each officer a question dealing with their specific motion. The team had to compete on Sunday night and place in the top three before advancing onto the Monday competition. This year the Milbank Senior FFA Conduct of Meeting team is led by President-Isaac Sousa with members Marion Muschel, Hattie Muellenbach, Luis Berrones, Wylie Mursu and Tice Mursu.

Korbin Leddy participated in the FFA Employment Skills. The purpose of this event is to present an opportunity for participants to develop, practice and demonstrate skills needed for seeking employment in the industry of agriculture. Each part of the event simulates, as closely as possible, real-world activities that will be used by real-world employers. FFA member must design a resume, letter of application and complete a job application. Then each member goes through a mock interview with an interviewer in front of judgers.

Milbank FFA officers Natalie Meyer, Keara Van Hoorn and Raul Berrones assisted with timing of the South Dakota State FFA Extemporaneous Speaking and FFA Employment Skill events.

Over 600 FFA members attended the South Dakota State FFA Leadership Event this year.