Yelm FFA Ag Com Team Wins Third in Nation

Winners of the National FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE) were announced Friday at the annual awards banquet. The event was held in conjunction with the 85th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 21-25.

Placing third in the nation was the Yelm FFA Agricultural Communications team of Kyle Sneddon (pictured center), Savannah Hoffman (pictured left), and McKenzie Bostic (pictured right).

The National FFA Agricultural Communications CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ skills in all areas of the agricultural communications field and evaluates how well they can apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Participants attend a simulated news conference and use the information gathered to complete individual practicums in writing, electronic media and design. Prior to the event, students compile media plans related to innovative agricultural practices, management techniques and marketing tools. Each team then creates a 15-minute presentation based on their proposal. Members also compete in an editing exercise and a general communications quiz.

In addition to the Ag Com team, Becca Foote and Kayla Luoma presented in the Models of Innovation finalist competition in the area of Chapter Development.

Two 2012 Yelm graduates received national finalist awards. Nick Fredrickson received his for proficiency in Agriculture Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship and Jeremy Bagwell for proficiency in Sheep Production Entrepreneurship.

At the state FFA convention in May, Yelm was also selected to run the Washington State Booth in the Hall of States Contest. The booth served as an informational resource on Washington Agriculture and provided promotional items from various Washington Agricultural Commodity groups. Jaron Burke, Sheridan Lantz, Jayde Milligan, and Sian Roche designed and implemented the booth. They received 96 out of 100 total points for the booth.