Guthals wins state FFA Division I prepared public speaking competition

CONTACT INFORMATION

COLUMBIA, Mo., April 25, 2025 — Layla Guthals of the East Buchanan FFA Chapter placed first in the Division I prepared public speaking leadership development event at the 97th Missouri FFA Convention. Sixteen students from six districts were selected to compete at the state level. The East Buchanan FFA advisors are Amy Kelsey and Ronetta Walkup.

Missouri Army National Guard and Missouri Army ROTC sponsors the competition, which requires contestants to deliver a four -to-six-minute speech based on an agriculture topic they have selected and researched. The contestants present their speech in front of a panel of judges and then undergo an additional four minutes of questions. The event helps students to polish logical thinking and verbal skills needed in the classroom.

The Missouri FFA has 26,900 members representing 365 chapters. The national organization has more than 1,027,273 members representing 9,235 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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