The Southeast FFA Chapter competed in the Southeast District FFA Food Science and Speech competitions on Friday, December 12 in Fort Scott. The A team for Southeast competed in, and placed 4th in the Food Science contest out of 24 SE District schools.

“The surprise of the day came from Southeast foreign exchange student Katharina Jens as she tied for 2nd high individual in the ‘A’ division of the food science contest,” said Southeast FFA sponsor Scott Sutton. “Jens joined FFA just a few weeks ago and had never competed in the contest before.”

Along with Jens, Southeast FFA members Ryan Rakestraw, Megan Gall, Ashton Coltrane, Riley Ulery, Kim Fraker, Kelsie Westervelt and Caleb Biancarelli competed in the contest.

Also competing and finishing 11th in the “B” division were Sophomore and Freshman members Truman Buckley, Jacob Wyckoff, Sofia Herranz Aparicio, Wyntr Jacobs, Laura Ridings, Brody Wood, Sara Scholes, and Amber Scales.

Also highlighting the day were three Freshman who were brave enough to participate in the speech contest. Hannah Williams experienced the most success by placing 4th overall with her speech about agricultural sustainability. Daisy Burns brought home the 5th place medal with her speech, which told her story about being a “non-farm girl” succeeding in FFA after her recent Creed Speaking Championship. Jacob McGuire rounded things out by placing 12th with his speech about animal welfare. There were over 25 participants in the Freshman speech division.