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FFA State Convention

March 13th, 2015 at 05:35 pm

DD1 competed in Jr. High public speaking at the FFA state convention yesterday. She competed against eight other students from around the state, and placed fifth. We are very proud, and happy for her. She did the absolute best job that she could have done. Considering all the students who started out at the district level five weeks ago, she ended up doing better than about 95% of them.

I wouldn't be truthful, though, if I didn't say that I was hoping she would have placed higher. I watched the competition, and I honestly had her placed higher. Of course, I'm her very biased father. Of the eight, six did a very good job. The 7th and 8th placed kids did a good job, too, but there was a clear delineation between their performance, and the other six.

Of the top-finishing six, they can be put into two broad categories - those who were highly polished, with exaggerated gestures, etc. I'd call their presentation more of a "sales" type presentation. The others, including DD1 spoke in more of a conversational tone, and I would call their style more "educational". The judges clearly preferred the polished, sales type of presentation. Either way, we are proud of her accomplishment, and from the pic DW sent me after placements were announced, DD1 is very happy.

The Dean of the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State addressed the convention. He made a very exciting announcement. What the Dean said was that FFA high school seniors who complete a curriculum in agri-science and win an FFA state degree will receive six general credits from MSU - six free credits before they even start college!

I wasn't able to participate in FFA, so I'm not exacly sure what a state degree is, but according to DW, our kids would be very likely to earn an FFA state degree if they participate fully in FFA. About 150-200 high school seniors earn a state degree each year.

That's great news! Six credits is about 1/3-1/2 of a semester. At the 2015 price of $440 a credit, that's a $2,640 value, not including the savings in time. We'll definitely be adding that to the long list of goals as it relates to our kids.

Now for the not so great news related to the FFA convention. DW and DD2 were headed out to do some pre-convention shopping. Read that as DW had nothing to wear to convention. She was driving through town, on her way to another town that has a mall. A lady driving beside her was switching lanes, and didn't look, and smacked right in to our van. No one was injured, but there is quite a bit of damage to the van, including a bent axle, which of course leaves the van completely unable to be driven.

The insurance adjustor looked at the van yesterday, and we hope to get his report today, or hopefully by Monday.

This could only happen in a town the size of our small town, but the accident happened kitty corner from, and about 200 feet from the police station. They were also 300 feet from, and equidistant in opposite directions from our insurance agency, and the other driver's insurance agency.

3 Responses to “FFA State Convention”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1426275623

    Great news on your daughters performance! I'm sure she will continue to improve. I also like that the college will over credits...that is always good for the pocket book. So sorry about the van. I hope it is sorted out quickly!

  2. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    1426302050

    You can be very proud of your daughter! Smile

  3. LuckyRobin Says:
    1426308672

    That is wonderful about the college credits. Sorry about the van. It'll be hard having it out of commission.

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