Prairiland FFA students Reese Bassano and Shaeffer Suttle are getting set to compete in the Texas FFA Prepared Public Speaking Contests at the 92nd annual Texas FFA State Convention virtually July 8-10.
Bassano competed in the Junior Prepared Public Speaking and finished as area runner up, advancing her to the state competition as a semi-finalist.
“Participants in the junior division prepare and present a five-to-eight minute speech about a current agricultural topic,” explained Prairiland FFA Advisor, Kelly Stapleton.
Suttle competed and also finished as an area winner in the Ag Technology and Communications category, advancing him to the state competitions as a semi-finalist. Participants in this category also prepare and present a six-to-eight minute speech.
“Speakers pre-recorded and uploaded presentations for a panel of judges to review. The students then participate in a live question-answer series designed to test the student’s knowledge of the chosen subject matter via Zoom,” said Stapleton of this year’s changes to the competition.
To qualify for the state competition, Bassano and Suttle advanced through one of 66 district competitions in the state as district winners of their division and category.
The 92nd annual Texas FFA Convention recorded approximately 24,314 unique visitors and 53,524 viewer engagements on the convention.texasffa.org website platform. Members of the state’s largest agricultural youth leadership organization spent the week virtually attending leadership workshops, listening to motivational speeches, being recognized for their achievements, and serving as the Texas FFA Association’s legislative body.
