Smith named state winner in food service proficiency award area

CONTACT INFORMATION

COLUMBIA, Mo., April 18, 2024 – Leaha Smith of Bucklin won the Missouri FFA Food Service Proficiency Award at the 96th Missouri FFA Convention. 

Smith, a junior at Bucklin R-II High School, is the daughter of Ronald Smith and Allison Gillespie. She is a member of the Bucklin FFA Chapter. Her advisor is Bailey Henry.

Smith’s supervised agricultural experience program involves employment as an assistant manager at Sonic in Brookfield, Missouri. Her responsibilities include food preparation, keeping accurate inventory records, and maintaining safety standards.

As an FFA member, Smith competed in the nursery/landscape career development event on the state level. In addition to FFA, Smith is a member of the National Honor Society and serves as a team manager for the fall and spring baseball teams. 

Smith’s future plans include studying agriculture education at University of Missouri-Columbia.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Food Service is one of 46 proficiency award areas recognized at state level. Seitz Fundraising sponsored this award.

The Missouri FFA has 26,830 members representing 362 chapters. The national organization has more than 945,000 members representing 9,163 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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