Cottondale FFA Sets Gold Standards at National Convention

The Cottondale FFA Agricultural Communications Team attended the 90th Annual National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, IN on Oct. 25–28. The Agricultural Communications Career Development Event was held at the JW Marriot in downtown Indianapolis.

The communications team consisted of Kasey Lathan, Laramie Pooser, Carl Young, and Caleb Reed. The team was required to first submit a written media plan on a designated topic prior to the convention. This year’s topic was the promotion of an FFA member. The team members were then required to present this media plan to a panel of judges, take two written exams, and complete an individual practicum. The team received the gold level award, which is the highest award, and placed 11th out of more than 30 teams.

Placings are based on the teams overall score, but the individual members are also awarded based on tests and practicum scores. Young was awarded bronze, Lathan and Pooser were awarded silver, and Reed was awarded gold individually. Reed was also the highest score in the nation on the communications exam.

The Cottondale FFA Chapter also received the Three-Star National Chapter Award earlier this year. Caleb Reed and Josh Scurlock represented the chapter at the Second General Session by walking across the national stage to receive the plaque for this award. This is the highest rating a chapter can receive for the National Chapter Award Program.

The Cottondale FFA Chapter and the Cottondale FFA Agricultural Communications Team would like to thank all sponsors for their assistance in covering the costs to attend the National FFA Convention.