MACON, Ga – Winners of the Extemporaneous Speaking Leadership Development Event (CDE) were recognized at the 96^th Georgia FFA State Convention held at the Macon Centreplex on April 25-27, 2024. 

Laney Sparks of Mary Persons placed first in the individual CDE competition. Other finalists included CarolAnn Cash of Chattooga County, Joni Phillips of Berrien County and Ella Gibbs of Wilcox.

CDE and LDE awards are granted to FFA members and teams who have exhibited premier leadership, personal growth, and career success in a variety of competitions. The Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE aims to provide the opportunity to enhance the speaking skills of participants. Participants present a speech they prepare in an allotted amount of time to a panel of judges. When the presentation is complete, participants respond to questions from the judges and are scored to determine a winner.

The Extemporaneous Speaking Leadership Development Event was sponsored at the state level by the Georgia Farm Bureau.

All individual winners received a plaque and a cash award. The individual winner received $100 and $500 travel awarded for National Convention. The second place individual received $50, and the third place individual received $25. The fourth place individual received $20. Additionally, the advisor of the state winning individual received a $100 cash award. 

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, changed its name in 1988 to reflect the growth and diversity of agriculture. There are nearly 940,000 FFA members nationwide. The Georgia Association has more than 80,000 members, making it the third largest Association in the nation. The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success, through agricultural education.