As members test their abilities to speak in front of audiences, public speaking contests are among the most popular activities in FFA. Hundreds of FFA members from across the state participate in speaking competitions at the district, section and state levels.

The top prepared speaking, extemporaneous speaking, creed, discussion meet and parliamentary procedure contest winners in each section were invited to compete at the state level during the Wisconsin FFA Convention, held June 12-15 in Madison.

Following is information about each contest and a list of the top finishers. The top winner in each category will represent Wisconsin at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Oct. 25-28.

Contest winners
The prepared speaking contest is designed to recognize FFA members for their ability to present factual information on specific agricultural issues in a well-thought-out and logical manner in a competitive setting. Speeches are six to eight minutes in length. Participants also answer five minutes of judges’ questions.

The state winner is Tommie Lokin, Mineral Point FFA Chapter. Her speech is titled “GMOs are the Way to Go.” The first runner-up is Amelia Hayden, Big Foot FFA Chapter. The third-place winner is Katelyn Zimmerman, Spencer FFA Chapter. Taking fourth place is Colleen Toberman, Parkview FFA Chapter in Orfordville.

The extemporaneous speaking contest provides an opportunity for members to develop the skills to speak about a given subject without having much time to prepare or rehearse. Students draw a topic and are given just 30 minutes to prepare a four- to six-minute speech. They must also answer five minutes of questions from judges about their speech.

The state winner is Braden Kundert, Badger FFA Chapter. Kundert was the state winner in the prepared speaking contest in 2016. The first runner-up is Ashley Hagenow of the Rio FFA Chapter. In third place is Dirk Bruxvoort, Bloomer FFA Chapter. Winning fourth place is Tyler Franklin, Baldwin-Woodville FFA Chapter.

In the creed speaking contest, participants recite the FFA Creed and answer three questions to test their understanding of the creed.

Katrina Hoesly, Denmark FFA Chapter, is the state winner. Nick Erickson, Amery FFA Chapter, is the first runner-up. Kailen Smercheck, Rosholt FFA Chapter, won third place. Hanna Brey of Brookwood FFA Chapter is the fourth-place winner.

The discussion meet contest tests the abilities of FFA members in cooperatively discussing ag issues, exchanging ideas and information, and finding solutions to problems.

The state winner in the discussion meet contest is Sam Pinchart, Luxemburg-Casco FFA Chapter. Mark Kortbein of the Tomah FFA Chapter is the first runner-up. Reilly Kippel, River Valley FFA Chapter, took third place. Mason Jauquet, Pulaski FFA Chapter, is the fourth-place winner.

The parliamentary procedure contest develops leadership ability and increases knowledge in conducting meetings using proper parliamentary procedure. Each parliamentary procedure team, consisting of five to seven members, has 10 minutes to demonstrate “parliamentary abilities” while discussing the topic given to them by the judges.

Stanley-Boyd FFA is the state winner in this contest. Kiel FFA is the first runner-up. Clear Lake FFA finished in third place, while Pulaski FFA is the fourth-place team.