South Putnam FFA going to National Convention Oct. 19

Courtesy photo The South Putnam High School Parliamentary Procedures team will travel to Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention and Expo Oct. 19. The team, pictured with other FFA members, consists of (front row, from left) Megan Arnold, Savannah McIntosh and Regan Ladd and (back row, from right) Ryan Neumann and Eric Hinkle.

The South Putnam High School FFA will send its Parliamentary Procedures Team to the 89th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis for the first time on Oct. 19.

“We’re a little nervous because it’s a pretty big competition,” Eric Hinkle, a sophomore, said. “It’s the biggest competition we’ve been to. But, at the same time, this is good. We’re at the end, so why not go out with a bang and see how far we can get? Because it’s only going to be a few days’ difference between our first and last national competition, so we’re going to try to get as far as we can.”

Along with Hinkle, the team consists of Austin Arnold, Megan Arnold, Reagan Ladd, Ryan Neumann and Savannah McIntosh.

Courtesy photo The Animal Systems Team was selected as a national finalist for the National FFA Agriscience Fair. The team consists of Helen Eaglin (left) and MacKenzie Clark.

Preparing for the competition has been a little difficult with the students being involved in other extracurricular activities, but adviser Amanda King believes preparations are going well.

“It’s hard to get everyone together,” King said. “But I think it’s going well. We’ve got more experienced people than me coming in to help prep them.”

In order to win, the team will have to demonstrate its ability to conduct orderly and efficient meetings, present logical and convincing discussions and properly record meeting procedures in a written exam, verbal answer to questions, a 10-minute demonstration and minutes from that demonstration.

“Working with the team is fun,” Neumann, a junior, said. “Even when we’re serious we kind of joke around.”

Hinkle added, “That’s something we have to do in order to keep our sanity. It’s probably one of the most mentally draining competitions in FFA because of all the things you have to remember.”

National support for the Parliamentary Procedure CDE is provided by TransCanada.

Meanwhile, the Animal Systems Grades 7-9 Team -- consisting of MacKenzie Clark and Helen Eaglin -- has been selected as a national finalist for competition in the National FFA Agriscience Fair. This is the second year South Putnam is sending its Animal Systems team.

“It’s kind of really exciting because I’ve never really been higher than state before,” Clark said. “I’m just really excited.”

Eaglin added, “It’s pretty awesome. I’ve never had a feeling like this, and it feels pretty good to get this opportunity to be able to represent my school.”

Participating students are required to conduct a scientific research project focused on the agriculture or food science industries. Clark and Eaglin’s presentation is called, “Does the Type of Food Affect Tilapia Growth?”

“My favorite part was catching the fish,” Eaglin said,” because it was so much fun. It was so difficult and you would just get wet. If you caught a fish it was just the best thing ever.”

Clark added, “My favorite part is that it’s very hands-on. You have to work with the fish, and I like doing that.”

The National FFA Agriscience Fair is sponsored by Cargill, Chevrolet, John Deere and Syngenta.