MP FFA attends districts and Hart bids Farewell

MT. PLEASANT — Mt. Pleasant High School’s FFA advanced to District Convention where they received multiple silver ratings and two bronze rating.

Mt. Pleasant’s FFA member Kamryn Hart also performed her last duties as the Southeast District’s Southern Subdistrict Vice President.

The FFA program, overseen by Brady Martin, sent students to the FFA District Convention held at Muscatine High School over the weekend.

Carter Westfall and Maxon Yocum both received silver ratings for their welding skills at districts.

Judges based their rating on proper handling of equipment and safety, preparation of metal and selection of rod, correct welds performed, weld appearance, weld strength, and overall appearance.

Ethan Graber continued to work in the same category as last year and earned a silver rating for his work in Agricultural Sales.

Jacie Campbell’s work on the chapter website earned her a silver rating at convention.

Chase VanBibber earned silver for Agricultural Broadcasting.

Chapter Program work by Julie Campbell and Kaylen Hunold earned bronze as did the Experience in Action done by Tyi Alter, Alexis Francy, and Ella McNamee.

Mt. Pleasant FFA’s senior Hart also earned a silver rating for her Extemporary Speaking at the District Convention. She also performed her duties as the Southern Subdistrict Vice President.

Hart prepared for her Extemporary Speaking category by researching broad categories.

“We don’t really know what the speech is going to be about,” she explained. “We have 30 minutes to write this speech and then we go in there and give a four to six minute speech on topics like Urban Agriculture and Technology, Food and Fiber, or AG Marketing.”

“They give you four very, very broad topics,” Hart said. “Then basically, we’d find everything that we can about those topics and we can bring up to 100 sheets inside …”

“So, I had two,” Hart said of her speech. “One was about foreign trade within Iowa agriculture and the other was about why it is important to spread awareness about urban agriculture.”

Hart took her research, a speech outline, and her wits to create a silver rating extemporary speaking speech at Districts.

During her time as the Southern Vice President, Hart participated in a number of FFA activities as a leader for her subdistrict.

“I held a lot of subdistrict competition,” Hart said as she explained her role over the last year.

“So, I did open ceremony for those,” she said. “I helped out with our conferences that we had throughout the year … I did a lot of chapter visit.”

At these chapter visits, Hart taught other students about FFA, leadership, and team building.

During one of these Chapter Visits, Hart visited Salem elementary.

Despite moving on from her role as the Southern Vice President, Hart currently prepares to run for state office.

“I’ll be doing a lot of preparing for state office and then also state conventions coming up,” Hart said.

According to Hart, State Office is designed for the college level of FFA.

“Basically what I do is, I’ll go through a whole interview process a week before, then I will go in and do interviews,” she said. “If I am selected I will give a speech.”

She said this process is very similar to the process she underwent to gain the title of Southern Vice President. This time, however, Hart thinks she is more interested in pursuing the role of reporter or secretary.

Moving forward, Hart plans to attend Iowa State University and major in Agriculture Education.

While Mt. Pleasant’s FFA chapter did well at districts, Hart found the whole competition bittersweet.

“It was very sad because I met lifelong friends throughout District Office,” she said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com