Numerous Texas FFA chapters’ career development event (CDE) teams and leadership development event (LDE) teams are headed to the national stage following wins at the state level competition.
There are 25 CDE teams as well as two LDE teams and two individuals making the trip to the National FFA Convention to compete at the national level. Career development events build on what is learned in agricultural classes and encourages members to put their knowledge into practice. These events are designed to help a member prepare for a career in agriculture by testing and challenging the student's technical, leadership, interpersonal and teamwork skills as well as their knowledge of the subject matter.
Leadership Development Events focus on creating situations for members to demonstrate their abilities in public speaking, decision making, communication and their knowledge of agriculture and the FFA organization. Team and individual events are used to reinforce what is taught in agricultural science classrooms. Elimination rounds are held at the district and area level competitions.
“It’s really exciting,” said Haley Pluenneke of the Florence FFA Chapter, who, along with her team is competing at the national level in Food Science.
Similar feelings were felt from Sandra Day O’Connor Chapter member Colton Dempsey, who is headed to nationals after his team took first in Junior Chapter Conducting.
“It’s my first year in FFA, so it’s a really good start,” Dempsey said. “It makes me want to do more in FFA.”
The 84th National FFA Convention will be held this year in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 24-27,2011.