FFA members compete at state speaking contest

Wahkiakum FFA students represented their chapter with pride and professionalism Thursday through Saturday, May 8-10 at the 95th Washington State FFA Convention on the Washington State University campus in Pullman.

Anna Vik, Ryen Hurley, and Josh Moon each competed in the prestigious State FFA Creed Speaking Contest, showcasing their public speaking skills and deep understanding of the FFA creed. The three students represented not only Wahkiakum but also the district, speaking alongside top contenders from across the state. Impressively, Vik, Hurley and Moon all placed in the Silver category at the state level.

Each student placed third in their respective preliminary speaking flights. Although they did not advance to the final round of competition, their performance marked an impressive achievement at the state level and highlighted the strength of Wahkiakum's agricultural education program.

FFA Advisor Kyle Hurley accompanied the students, supporting them as they participated in the broader convention experience, which included a variety of leadership workshops, sessions, and state-level Career and Leadership Development Events.

Also representing Wahkiakum FFA were Clara Hogue, Ella Doiron, and Mayleonna Casey, who competed in the First-Year Member competition. This event is designed to challenge new FFA members with both individual and team skills. The competition includes a 50-point written question test and a complex problem scenario where teams have 10 minutes to collaborate, develop a valid solution, and present it to a panel of judges. Results for the Wahkiakum team had not yet been released at the time of publication.

With more than 14,500 members across Washington state, FFA continues to offer students opportunities to develop leadership skills, explore career pathways in agriculture, and connect with peers from diverse communities. The state convention brought together members from every corner of the state to compete, collaborate, and celebrate agricultural education.

"Making it to the state level is an accomplishment in itself," said Hurley. "These students worked hard, represented our community with integrity, and gained valuable experience that will serve them for years to come."