Extemporaneous (Extemp) Speaking in FFA is a Leadership Development Event (LDE) where participants deliver a speech on an agriculture-related topic with limited preparation time. Contestants draw a topic from a set of pre-determined categories, have 30 minutes to prepare, and then deliver a 4-6 minute speech, followed by a 5-minute question period from the judges.
Freshman Kate Dau competed in Extemporaneous Speaking on February 7th at the Southwest Minnesota State Ag Bowl. This was her first time participating in the event and she shared, “I really enjoyed competing at SMSU; it’s always a great way to prepare for the upcoming sub-district competitions.” She also added, “Extemp speaking is a great way to improve my speaking skills. This competition helps prepare for future job opportunities.”
Kate also earned a first-place Gold rating at the NE FFA Sub-District and a Gold rating and 4th place at the NW District competition. She plans to continue competing in various speaking competitions in the future.
South O’Brien FFA Advisor Eric Kumm commented, “This event helps members develop their ability to think quickly, organize their thoughts, and communicate effectively–all valuable skills for leadership and future career success.”