Special to the Chickasaw Journal

HOUSTON - For the second consecutive year, the Houston Vocational and Technical Center hosted the North Central FFA Federation Contest with many of the awards going to the local hosts.

Participating in the competition were FFA clubs from Vardaman, Calhoun City, Bruce, Pine Grove and Houston. A complete listing of categories and winners follows. First and second place winners will advance to the State competition.

Jr. Creed

n First, Lori Hart, Pine Grove

n Second, Koby Hill, Houston

Ninth Grade Creed

n First, Alex McCulloch, Houston

n Second, Tevin Belim, Calhoun City

n Third, Adriana McKiney, Vardaman

Sr. Creed

n First, Bethany Adams, Pine Grove

Sr. Prepared Public Speaking

n First, Gayla Bevels, Houston

Jr. Exterporaneous Speaking

n First, Taylor Watson, New Albany

n Second, Britney Thompson, Houston

Jr. Opening and

Closing Ceremony

n First, Pine Grove

n Second, Bruce

n Third, Vardaman

Sr. Opening and

Closing Ceremony

n First, Vardaman

n Second, Houston

n Third, Pine Grove

Jr. Tool Identification

n First, Pine Grove

Sr. Tool Identification

n First, Vardaman

n Second, Calhoun City

n Third, Houston

Tractor Driving

and Maintenance

n First, Pine Grove

n Second, Houston

n Third, Vardaman

Welding

n First, Bruce

n Second, Vardaman

n Third, Houston

n Third, Lanna Witt, Pine Grove

History of FFA

Founded in 1928, the Future Farmers of America brought together students, teachers and agribusiness to solidify support for agricultural education. In Kansas City's Baltimore Hotel, 33 young farmboys charted a course for the future. They could not have foreseen how the organization would grow and thrive.

Since 1928, millions of agriculture students - no one knows exactly how many - have donned the official FFA jacket and championed the FFA creed. FFA has opened its doors and its arms to minorities and women, ensuring that all students could reap the benefits of agricultural education.

Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Now, the organization is expanding the nation's view of amp"traditionalamp" agriculture and finding new ways to infuse agriculture into the classroom.

-from the National

FFA Organization