Hascall to compete at national FFA expo
A member of the Red Oak FFA chapter will compete for national recognition.
Averie Hascall will compete at the 92nd National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Oct. 30-Nov. 2.
The event has 25 career/leadership development event areas, covering job skills in everything from communications to mechanics. Hascall said she will compete in the category of prepared public speaking. Hascall served as one of FFA chapter advisor Alan Spencer’s helpers in the classroom, and that experience led to the topic Hascall chose for the public speaking competition.
“The Ag II class was doing a project on vertical farming, and I realized I could do something related to that type of farming and how it could help world hunger. I researched a lot, and I came up with my speech about combating world hunger through vertical farming,” Hascall said.
While there were many areas of competition, Hascall said she chose to pursue the public speaking competition because it was a challenge.
“I’ve always been very, very shy, and I do not like talking in front of people. I felt that public speaking would get me out of that zone and help expand my horizons a little bit,” said Hascall.
The prepared speeches center on one agricultural topic, and must be six to eight minutes in length. The judges have a copy of the speech ahead of time, and ordinarily follow along. Hascall said she has focused on practicing the speech out loud.
“I’ve not really spoken to a bunch of people before competition. I usually just go through the speech myself, and I’ve been practicing it two to three times per day.”
Following the speech, the judges and Hascall will participate in a five minute question and answer session. Hascall said she has been preparing for that portion as much as she can.
“I’ve prepared for some of the more generally asked questions, but you can’t totally prepare for all the questions, as you don’t know exactly what they will ask, or what kind of an agricultural background they have,” commented Hascall.
One benefit from the competition, Hascall said, is that the competition has made her less and less nervous about speaking before a crowd.
“At sub-districts, and districts, it was pretty nerve-wracking. I wasn’t too nervous until the walk from the holding room to the room where I presented my speech. After I got to state, the nerves were still there, but they weren’t as strong. I was more comfortable talking in front of a lot of people. Nationals will definitely be a bigger crowd, but my nerves are good,” said Hacall.
Hascall added that another positive to the upcoming competition is that there won’t be a long wait between stages, as the preliminary, semi-final, and final round all take place between Oct. 30 and Nov. 2. In addition to the competition, Hascall will take the opportunity to take in other features of the convention and tour the city.
“I’ll go to a few sessions, and a may go around and talk to the various college booths and ask about possible internships. I’ll also likely do some sightseeing with my family.”
Hascall said she feels particularly honored to be able to represent the Red Oak FFA Chapter on a national level.
“It makes me feel very special, and I feel very priviledged to have the opportunity to go to nationals and not only represent our small chapter, but the State of Iowa as well.”
Spencer and Tess Mittag are the chapter advisors. The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 669,989 student members who belong to one of 8,630 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 459,514 alumni members in 2,236 alumni chapters throughout the U.S.