Chatham Central student wins State FFA competition

Posted Saturday, June 28, 2008

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BEar Creek, NC - Kara Miller, a rising senior at Chatham Central High School, won the 2008 prepared public speaking competition during the state FFA (Future Farmers of America) convention held July 24-26 in Raleigh. Miller competed on Wednesday, July 25, and was recognized on stage during the awards ceremony and final session of the eightieth NC State FFA convention on Thursday morning, July 26.

The prepared public speaking competition required that participants write and give a speech on an agriculture-related topic. There was a five-minute segment following the speech during which event judges asked questions about the topic. Participants were evaluated on speech content and composition, vocal aspects, stage presence, and ability to answer judge’s questions. Miller chose “America’s Encounter with Foodborne Illness” as her topic. She will represent North Carolina and compete at the national level in October.

At the end of the last business session of the convention, it was announced that Miller will be one of six state FFA officers for the 2008-09 school year. She was one of twenty-seven candidates for state office. Miller will serve as a vice president at the treasurer station. All newly inducted state officers will immediately embark on a three-week series of training sessions.

Miller is the fourth state officer from Chatham County. The first was Landis Phillips from Chatham Central who served as state FFA president in 1970-71. Jay Marshall from Jordan-Matthews served as state FFA president in 1979. Sterlina Henson Smith from Chatham Central served as a state FFA vice president in 1997-98.

Career development events help students make meaningful connections between classroom instruction and real-life situations. By participating in these competitive events, students enhance their critical thinking skills and communication skills as well as explore some of the estimated 300 agriculture-related career opportunities available.