Penn Yan played host to future agricultural leaders this week as the Penn Yan FFA chapter welcomed more than a dozen area schools for the District 8 FFA Leadership Development Event competitions.
Middle and high school students from across the region gathered for a full day of contests designed to build communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. Students competed in 13 events at both the junior and senior levels, including Creed Speaking, Prepared and Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, Agricultural Issues, Employment Skills, and Conduct of Chapter Meeting.
Carlie Bossard, an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Penn Yan, said the competitions give students a chance to apply what they learn in the classroom in real-world situations.
“These events give students the opportunity to grow their confidence, strengthen their leadership skills, and apply what they’ve learned,” Bossard said. She added the chapter was excited to host more than a dozen schools from around the district.
Several Penn Yan students earned top finishes and will advance. Clarie Sandstrom placed first in senior prepared speaking, Elizabeth Lilyea took first in senior extemporaneous speaking, and the Penn Yan Parliamentary Procedure team earned first place. Zoe Zeigler finished second in senior Creed speaking, and Jordan Beauman placed second in junior prepared speaking.
Other strong performances included Dylan Martinez, who won first place in Spanish Creed Speaking — a new district contest that qualifies him for the state competition in May — along with multiple top-10 finishes from other Penn Yan students across several events.
Bossard said the day relied on support from many volunteers and advisors, as well as transportation departments that helped get students to and from the event safely. More than 40 volunteers served as judges and provided feedback to competitors.
Beyond the contests, students also gave back to the community. Working with Meals of Hope, FFA members packaged 10,000 macaroni and cheese meals to be distributed through local food pantries. Students rotated through the service project between competitions.
District leaders also thanked several local sponsors for supporting the effort, including Dann Auctioneers, the Penn Yan Lions Club, First Presbyterian Church, Leslie and Wanda Wood, and the Penn Yan Moose.
