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When FFA is mentioned, farming and animal care may come to mind. But four students from the Lind-Ritzville area showed that you should also think of web design, video editing and journalism.
The Lind-Ritzville FFA Agricultural Communications Team impressed at the 92nd National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis last month, returning home with a gold emblem.
The team–consisting of seniors Ellie Gering, Alibama Rushing, Brinley Moore and freshman Cameron Wood–finished seventh in the nation in the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event.
According to a press release from the FFA, the event "is a competitive event that tests students' skills in all areas of the agricultural communications field and evaluates how well they can apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Participants attend a simulated news conference and use the information gathered to complete individual practicums in writing, electronic media and design. Prior to the event, students compile media plans related to innovative agricultural practices, management techniques and marketing tools. Each team then creates a 15-minute presentation based on their proposal."
"We then presented it there."
The four girls also took individual tests and practicums. They were tested in skills such as journalism writing, website design and video editing.
Gering said while the team members believed in themselves, the seventh place finish surpassed their own expectations.
"I didn't think we'd get seventh at nationals," Gering said. "That was pretty great ... I think I got a lot more out of it than I expected."
"I didn't think we were going to get seventh either," added Moore. "That was a very good surprise."
Andy Williams, a Lind-Ritzville High School teacher and the team's adviser, was less surprised.
"We never competed in this contest until three years ago," Williams. "They have done well every year. I knew they would be right up there in terms of state. They were able to put it together and win. Going back to nationals, I knew they would be good ... I am really pleased with what they did. Seventh in the nation is pretty good, and with a couple tweaks, I think we could move up a couple places."
Williams says because communications and journalism are not areas he specializes in, the students had to do a lot of the learning on their own.
"It was a lot on them," Williams said. "It was a deal where I provided them some structure and they learned and grew on their own."
Wood said the wide range of events to compete in through FFA has made her experience in the organization a positive one.
"It really helps my teamwork skills," Wood said. "There are so many different things to choose from. It really is a great environment and helps me with a lot of things."
Williams agrees. He said this event in particular, which may not fit into what someone thinks of when they hear FFA, is an extremely valuable one.
"This contest is new to us but it's one we are going to focus on going forward," Williams said. "I think it's so pertinent to skills that are needed out there, like being able to read, write and put words together. And things like video design and web design are not going away."
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