By Hanna Singh
After countless hours of preparation, the Ruston High School Conduct of Chapter team took first place at the Louisiana State FFA competition. The team will go on to compete at nationals in Indianapolis in the fall.
Seven freshmen students from Ruston High School competed in the Conduct of Chapter Leadership Development Event on June 4th. The competition included a 25-question written exam on parliamentary law and FFA bylaws along with a 13-minute demonstration.
For the demonstration, the participants were tasked with conducting a business meeting as leaders in their chapter and deciding on a motion while demonstrating knowledge of parliamentary law. The meeting specifically showed the opening ceremonies, debate on a main motion, closing ceremonies and oral questions about parliamentary law.
The winning team included Ruston FFA chapter leaders, president Joe Aulds, vice president Emma Medders, secretary Boston Smith, treasurer Paige Bordelon, reporter Isaiah Dozier, sentinel Kayden Woods and advisor Lauren Strickland.
FFA advisor Cadie Coleman acknowledged the immense workload the team took on in their preparation for the competition and the teamwork they displayed in the process.
“I am so proud of this team, not just for the work that they put in but for the extra time they took to care for each other,” Coleman said. “It has been amazing to watch these kids come together with one goal and then to realize that they have built a family in the process.”
In preparation for the event, the students studied after school for over 100 hours in the 3 months before the competition date. They will continue to train over the summer to compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN in October of 2024.
