Thirteen members of the Riverton Parke FFA Chapter competed in the District VII Leadership Contest on Friday, March 8, 2024 at South Putnam High School. Leadership Development Events (LDEs) focus on creating situations for members to demonstrate their abilities in public speaking, decision making, communication and their knowledge of agriculture and the FFA organization. The chapter competed in ten different LDE contests. Hadley Newman and Collin Watson both placed first in their LDE competitions. Hadley competed in the Horticulture Demonstration contest, and Collin participated in the Employability Skills contest. Members who placed first in their respective contests will have the opportunity to compete in the state contest during the Indiana FFA State Convention this June. Members who placed 3rd overall in their contests include: Emma Ugoletti and Joel Harrah with a Plant and Soil Science Demonstration, Collin Watson in Premier Leadership, Kenzie Mundell and Maggie Virostko with a Natural Resources Demonstration, Jack Harrah in Ag Sales, and Mya Kenley and Jenna Virostko with an Ag Mechanics Demonstration. Other chapter members who participated in the District VII Leadership Contest include: Katilynn Koch in Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Annie Campbell and Sophie Sanders with a Food Science Demonstration, and Sarah Brown in Prepared Public Speaking. The FFA advisors, Micah Humphreys and Michaela Woods, coached and prepared the students for the contest.
Pictured after the awards ceremony include, in front from left: Sophie Sanders, Kenzie Mundell, Maggie Virostko, Mya Kenley, and Jenna Virostko. In the back:Jack Harrah, Katilynn Koch, Hadley Newman, Joel Harrah, and Collin Watson. Also participating, but not pictured, are: Sarah Brown, Annie Campbell, and Emma Ugoletti.