by Alex Griebel – South O’Brien FFA Chapter Reporter
South O’ Brien FFA member Kate Dau participated in the FFA Creed Speaking leadership development event this spring. Her first competition was at the Southwest Minnesota State University Ag Bowl where she placed 3rd against FFA members from Minnesota. In the Iowa competition, Kate placed 1st at Sub-Districts with a Gold rating, 1st at Districts with a Gold rating, and 14th at state, earning a Silver rating.
This event is designed to develop leadership and the ability to appear before groups of 7th through 9th grade students as they become members of the FFA, recognizes outstanding FFA members for their ability to present the FFA Creed from memory and answer questions on the meaning and purpose of the FFA Creed. The FFA Creed Speaking event is just one way members can develop their ability to communicate in a powerful, organized, and professional manner.
Dau stated “ To prepare for the contest I focused on three things, the pacing and enthusiasm of how I say the creed, my facial and hand movements, stage presence, and practicing questions from previous years. At the competitions, I present the FFA Creed to 3 judges, then each of them ask me a total of three questions. All in all I enjoyed learning the FFA Creed and representing agriculture through a passion of mine, which is public speaking.”