UAM hosts leadership development events for southeast Arkansas FFA members
The Pine Tree Subarea LDEs prepare students for district and state-level competitions while helping them build skills they can use in college, careers and their communities.
By Traci Rushing
U of A System Division of Agriculture – UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Fast Fact:
- UAM welcomed more than 100 FFA members on campus for leadership event
- Chapters from Crossett, Monticello, Hamburg, Hermitage, Lake Village, McGehee, Star City and White Hall attended
- Events develop key skills for agricultural and community leadership
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(Newsrooms: With art)
MONTICELLO, Ark. — More than 100 FFA members from across southeast Arkansas took part in skill development competitions while getting a peek at future career possibilities during the annual Pine Tree Subarea Leadership Development Events hosted at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
The competition gave FFA members a chance to showcase their leadership skills, public speaking abilities and agricultural knowledge.
Students represented FFA chapters from Crossett, Drew Central in Monticello, Hamburg, Hermitage, Lake Village, McGehee, Star City and White Hall.
“Competing today helped me grow as a leader and reminded me why I love being part of FFA,” said Hailey Bliss, a participant from Drew Central who competed in prepared speaking. “Having the event at UAM made it even more exciting because it gave us a look at what opportunities in agriculture look like beyond high school and allowed us to explore agriculture degree options at the college level.”
The Pine Tree Subarea LDEs prepare students for district and state-level competitions while helping them build skills they can use in college, careers and their communities.
Brittany Leek, agriculture teacher at Drew Central School District, coordinated the day’s contests and worked closely with UAM faculty and staff to host the event on campus.
“We are incredibly grateful to UAM for opening their doors and supporting our students,” said Leek. “LDEs give students a chance to step out of their comfort zones, build confidence and discover what they’re capable of — work that’s only possible with strong community partnerships like this one.”
Leadership Development Events provide FFA members with opportunities to practice critical skills that prepare them for careers in agriculture and leadership roles in their communities. Students compete in a variety of events, including public speaking, prepared presentations, parliamentary procedure and job interview. Competitions are judged on content, presentation, teamwork and leadership ability.
Several UAM faculty and staff members served as judges, offering their expertise in evaluating student performances across the events. Lonni Davis, UAM agriculture faculty and former FFA adviser, said hosting the event on campus carries special meaning.
“As a former ag teacher, I know how important these contests are for developing our next generation of leaders,” said Davis. “Providing a space at UAM where they can compete, learn and be encouraged is something we’re proud to support.”
Event Winners
Creed Speaking
- 1st place – Trinity Bruce from Star City
- 2nd place – Madison Bussell from Drew Central
Prepared Public Speaking
- 1st place – Lindsey Spurlin from White Hall
- 2nd place – Hailey Bliss from Drew Central
Extemporaneous Public Speaking
- 1st place – Jack Menard from White Hall
- 2nd place – Lane Ortego from Star City
Discussion Meet
- 1st place – Lindsey Spurlin from White Hall
- 2nd place – Brooke Martin from Star City
Job Interview
- 1st place – Joshua Todd from White Hall
- 2nd place – Marley Ford from Star City
Conduct of Chapter Meeting
- 1st place – Rison, President: Isabella Blackstock, Vice President: Nicole Bryant, Secretary: Clara Strother, Reporter: Cami Hernandez, Treasurer: Aspen Hurley, Sentinel: Khole Carder, Jr. Advisor: Haleigh Runion
- 2nd place – Drew Central, President: Madison Bussell, Vice President: Austin Crossett, Secretary: Lauryn Cox, Reporter: Abigail McIntyre, Treasurer: Kolton Chapman, Sentinel: Chase Knowles, Jr. Advisor: Will Morgan
Parliamentary Procedure
- 1st place – McGehee, Chair: Zander Robertson, 1: Ella Robinson, 2: Rance Robertson, 3: Jackson Bennett, 4: Jaxon Williams, 5: Madison Carpenter
- 2nd place – Star City, Chair: Lane Ortego, 1: Marley Ford, 2: Avery Brown, 3: Addison McBryde, 4: Colton Shipman, 5: Evan Ross
About the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center
The College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, a University of Arkansas System Center of Excellence, brings together interdisciplinary expertise through a partnership between the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The College and Center are headquartered at the University of Arkansas at Monticello campus, but their programs range statewide with the mission of developing and delivering teaching, research, and extension programs that enhance and ensure the sustainability and productivity of forest-based natural resources and agricultural systems. Academic programs are delivered by the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources through the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, research is administered by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and extension and outreach activities are coordinated by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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