The Chelan FFA kicked off spring CDE season in fine fashion at the Sub-District Leadership Career Development Event in Wenatchee.  At stake were three spots into the District VII Leadership CDE and a possible trip to the State Competition in May. 

Chelan had four members competing in the Prepared Public Speaking CDE.  Each had research, write, prepare and present a six to eight minute speech on an agricultural related topic and then answer five minutes of questions.  Apolinar Blanco earned the first place banner with his speech on farm land.  Lupe Villasenor earned the second place banner with her speech on grazing as a land management tool.  Jake Straub earned the third place banner with his speech on sustainable forest management.  Dylan Sherman placed fourth with his speech on the importance of agriculture education for today’s youth. 

In the Extemporaneous Speaking CDE, participants must draw three topics, choose one, and then in thirty minutes prepare a four to six minute speech and then answer five minutes of questions.   Dylan Sherman earned the first place banner and a trip into district competition.  Apol Blanco was fourth, Jake Straub fifth, and Lupe Villasenor place sixth. 

The Rituals CDE requires first year FFA members to perform the opening and closing ceremonies of an FFA meeting along with a team problem solving practicum.  The team of Sedyrra Copas, Lindsey Brownfield, Lexi Monatano, Bobby Hanson, Elijah Larson, and Alex Diaz placed fourth and will also compete at the District Competition. 

In addition to the Leadership CDEs, there was an Agriculture Mechanics CDE as well.  Ricky Diaz, Ryan Gerber, Hayden Habich, Javier Rivera, and Jake Straub represented the Chelan FFA.  Their task was to construct a lantern out of expanded metal, flat bar, and plate.  The lantern had to include horizontal fillet arc welds, outside corner oxy-acetylene welds, and brazing butt welds.  They could build it to the design of their choice as long as it included the proper welds and dimensional criteria.    The results of this CDE have not yet been announced. 

Chelan FFA members are busy preparing for a wide array of Career Development Events that will take place the remainder of the spring.  These include Ag Issues Forum,  Creed Speaking,  Agricultural Sales,  Marketing Plan, Job Interview,  First Year Member, Farm Business Management, Meats Evaluation,  Livestock Evaluation, and Forestry.