Jerry Judges FFA Winter Leadership Day In Rochester

This morning I was in Rochester helping with the Region 8 FFA Winter Leadership Day. FFA members were there for Region Officer interviews, State FFA degree interviews, Creed contest and many others. Chapter advisers in the region take charge of organizing the different contests and events. Duane Pliscott, adviser in Cannon Falls, for example, is in charge of the FFA Creed Contest. For many years, Pliscott has asked me to be a judge for the FFA Creed Contest. Being they ask me back every year, either they are pleased with the job I have done or they cannot find anyone else to do it!

Today we had 15 FFA members competing in the FFA Creed Contest. They come into the room, introduce themselves and recite the FFA Creed. Then each of the judges ask them a question. We have score sheets and rank each one and they come up with the overall rank. The first- and second-place winners have earned the right to go on and compete this spring at the State FFA Convention. Pliscott mentioned that there were more than 20 judges there helping, along with a number of other volunteers. It is always fun to help out the FFA, and I even put a tie on!