Student teacher Lindsay Crawford prepares Business Management members Alex Peck and Calli Zimmerman for taking a practicum to get ready for their State FFA Convention. (Alexa Wheaton photo)
by Alexa Wheaton
On Wednesday, April 13, the Montezuma FFA contest participants left for Ankeny to work on final details for the 2011 FFA State Convention. Twenty-nine students began early Thursday morning, either for their contest, studying for an upcoming contest, attending the FFA career show or supporting fellow teammates.
Following a long day at the convention, students departed for the hotel to continue studying and preparing for Friday’s events. Students invested long hours since January practicing and preparing for these two days to hopefully earn a first place and to advance to nationals.
Business Management
The Business Management team brought home another state title to join the previous 17 consecutive wins at the state competition. The Business Management contest consists of two tests. The team was given two hours to complete a 75-question multiple choice test; 15 minutes to complete a 7-question team test based on material that was given a week prior.
Following the team activity, students were given 15 minutes to complete a 5-question multiple choice test individually. The team consisted of Nathan Wheeler, Stephen Vavroch, Carrie Graham and Kendra Doty. Individually, BGM students Graham and Doty placed first and second; Wheeler placed sixth.
Wheeler said, “At times it was very stressful to know that we could be the team to end the streak, but with Mr. Swenson’s help, we had confidence that we would come out with a successful win.”
Agriculture
Communications
On the first day of the convention, Agriculture Communications students were given a 30-minute test based on proofreading and editing and another 30-minute test on the basic knowledge on the communication field.
Friday led a busy day with Agriculture Communications at the Polk County Convention Center starting with a 7 a.m. press release where students were allowed to take as many notes as possible in the 15 minutes that were allotted. After the presentation, students were given 45 minutes to create practicums: a news story, press release, radio broadcast and graphic design.
Following the 45 minutes of practicum, the team gave a 15-minute presentation on a topic that they had been rehearsing and followed by 5 minutes of questions from the judges. The team placed first along with Natalie Wheeler placing first and Halley Ogan placing sixth individually. The team will advance to nationals in Indianapolis in the fall. The team consisted of Tyler Swenson, Ogan, Wheeler, Kendra Cranston and Aly James.
Agriculture Sales
Agriculture Sales began the contest a week early by taking a 50-question test online. On the second day of the contests the team began with a 15-minute practicum, such as: customer relations, prospecting or order taking. Following the practicum the team individually did a 7-minute sale on their rehearsed product.
Once the team reunited, they gave a team presentation on a topic they were given to memorize the night before. The team placed sixth at the state competition. The team consisted of Norman Martin, Eric Osborn, Kaylin Hansen, Calli Zimmerman and Alex Peck.
Conduct of Meetings
On Thursday the freshmen team conducted a 10-minute FFA meeting followed with 5 questions about the FFA organization. The Conduct of Meetings team, Courtney Petersen, Karah Hansen, Colleen Johnston, Abbi Nelson, Tiffany Heishmann, Julie Audas, Mitch Gibson, Kaylee White and Katelyn Gregory, placed third of twelve teams.
This contest is not eligible for national competition.
Job Interview
Nathan Wheeler began the contest early while designing a cover letter, formatting a resume and giving 3-4 references all prior to competition.
On the first day of competition Wheeler had 20 minutes to fill out a job application form and then was interviewed by a panel of four judges for 10 minutes. Following the interview judges asked questions for 5 minutes based on the position applied for. Wheeler placed fifth at the state competition.
Ag Broadcasting
Aly James participated in the Radio Broadcasting CDE on Thursday. All radio broadcasters sat through an actual radio broadcast and are given the script and are allowed to cut, copy or mark on the script to create their own 4-5 minute broadcast consisting of a news story, weather report and a commercial. James placed eighth.
Individual Sales
Thursday afternoon Alexis Ferguson defended Montezuma during the Agriculture Sales event. Ferguson was given 12 minutes to sell Heartland's Health Salsa to the judges. Ferguson placed second. Ferguson said, “Ag. Sales has given me the ability to handle myself professionally while dealing with a sales product. It also helped me with my personal ability to work with people I have never worked with before.”
Rising Star
Tyler Swenson represented the Montezuma FFA Chapter on Friday during the Rising Star Award. The Rising Star is designed to recognize sophomore FFA members. Six finalists that make it out of districts are interviewed by the Boone FFA Alumni Chapter. The award is based on the FFA involvement and their SAE record book.
Iowa Degree
Courtney Latcham, Shannon Sutfin, Alexa Wheaton, Calli Zimmerman and Alex Peck were given one last chance to wear their FFA jackets and represent Montezuma while accepting their Iowa Degree. This award is based on the SAE record books that students have been working on since they were freshmen. The Iowa degree is the highest award that the Iowa FFA chapter can award members.
Student teacher Lindsay Crawford said, “Being new to the Montezuma FFA Chapter, I was very impressed with all the FFA members and their competition. I enjoyed watching where each member started the season and where they were on contest day. I am very proud of all their hard work and efforts.”
