Throughout the year, Escalon FFA participates in many contests that develop specific skills in leadership and communication. To build personal growth through public speaking, members compete in the Delta-Cal FFA Sectional Speech competition. On Wednesday, Dec. 9, thirteen Escalon FFA members competed in the sectional contest hosted by Linden High School.

Cassidy Ley-Han won first place in the Prepared Speech Contest, with her speech about federal groundwater management. She delivered her eight minute speech from memory and was asked questions afterwards. Her first place finish has earned her a spot at the Regional Preliminary Speech Contest to be held in February.

Additionally, Matthew Lima competed in the Impromptu Speech contest, where he drew random agricultural topics and had one minute to prepare two minute speeches. This is a relatively new contest in the FFA, and only includes sophomores. Matthew placed 5th in the contest.

Scott Terpstra had a 6th place finish in the FFA Creed Recitation out of 33 freshmen speakers. The FFA Creed was written by E.M. Tiffany in the 1930’s, and the Creed Speaking contest is just as popular today as when it first began. Members memorize and deliver all five paragraphs of the Creed and are asked questions at the end that pertain to the Creed, agriculture, and the FFA.

Also held that night was the Farm Cooperatives Contest, where members take a test on the history and inter-workings of farm cooperatives. It is a qualifying event for participation at the state finals contest later this spring. Escalon’s Cooperative Marketing Team placed 7th, and was comprised of Ashley Grass, Barbara Baglione, Ashley Barreto, and Sidney Saunders.

Other chapter competitors included Natalie Bianchi and Cydney Keener in the Job Interview contest, Mary Adams in Impromptu, Madisyn Widmer in the Creed contest, Julia Orlando in Prepared Speech, and Sophia Rexin in the Extemporaneous Speech contest.