MACON, Ga. – Winners of the Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) were recognized at the 95^th Georgia FFA State Convention held at the Macon Centreplex on April 27-29, 2023. 

In the senior division, Colleen Barber of Ware County placed first in the individual LDE competition. Annalyn Wilson of Glascock County placed second, Callie Armour of White County finished third, and Jackson Griffith of Houston County finished fourth. 

In the junior division, Lilly Carroll of Central Middle placed first in the individual LDE competition. Haley Parsons of Malcom Bridge Middle, Eden Walker of Perry, and Kendall Kopcsac of Bagley Middle finished second, third, and fourth respectively. 

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. Prepared Public Speaking LDE is designed to enhance the speaking skills of participants by encouraging civic participation and cultivation of a better knowledge of agriculture. Prepared competitors in the Prepared Public Speaking LDE present a speech before a panel of judges and respond to questions from the judges. 

The senior division Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event was sponsored at the state level by Farm Credit Associations of Georgia. The junior division was sponsored by the Tommy Irvin Endowed Fund. 

All winners received a plaque and a cash award. The first place winners received $100 cash and $500 in travel money for the National Convention. Second place individuals received $50, and third place individuals received $25. The winning team was awarded $2,000 travel money to attend the National FFA Convention. Additionally, the advisor of the state winning team 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 860,000 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. 

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