Eureka High School FFA Students 2023

Eureka High School FFA Students Show Outstanding Public Speaking and Parliamentary Law Knowledge at 2023 FFA Leadership Development Event
Posted on 04/28/2023

EHS FFA Parliamentary Procedure Team

April 28, 2023, Eureka, CA -  Eureka High School FFA recently competed and showed off their outstanding public speaking skills and parliamentary law knowledge at the California FFA Leadership Development Event (LDE) April 20-21, 2023.
 
Out of 29,000 FFA freshmen in California, Eureka High School Freshman Jake Van Reusen placed third in the FFA Creed Speaking contest.
 
Junior, Whilder Kijsriopas competed in Extemporaneous Public Speaking and did extremely well while the EHS Parliamentary Procedure or Debate Team was in the top 22 in the state.
The FFA Creed outlines the organization’s values and beliefs regarding the industry of agriculture, FFA membership, and citizenship and patriotism. Students participating in the Creed Speaking LDE learn to communicate in a powerful, organized and professional manner and build self-confidence.
 
Van Reusen says, "As being a Creed speaker, I am asked to step out of my comfort zone, compete at something I am new to, and to do my very best, but I am encouraged, motivated, and inspired.”
 
Van Reusen adds that he’s been presented with many opportunities through FFA and agriculture and he hopes to inspire incoming freshmen and all students with the message “If I can do it, you can do it.” Go out there and “Exert an influence in your home and community which will stand solid for your part in that inspiring task” (E.M. Tiffany FFA Creed Paragraph 5).
Students participating in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE showcase their agricultural knowledge and ability to think on their feet by giving a speech and answering questions with limited prep time.

Whilder Kijsriopas says, “Being in Extemporaneous Public Speaking has helped me to become more confident in presenting and advocating for agriculture. I enjoy it because I get to learn about new topics and get to justify my presentation to a panel of judges. Traveling across the state to compete has been so much fun and I loved visiting college campuses and meeting new people.”
 
Students participating in the Parliamentary Procedure LDE are evaluated on their ability to conduct an orderly and efficient meeting using parliamentary procedure. Participants are judged on their knowledge of parliamentary law and their ability to present logical, realistic and convincing debate and motions.

The FFA team practiced for this performance for months ahead of the competition, participated in several contests, and had to place in the top four at the section and region contests in order to compete at the state level.

EHS Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor, Alissa Sarvinski says, “These speaking competitions create skills that students will take with them into any career of their choosing.  The skills obtained will be with them for life.”

Eureka High School FFA participates in a multitude of competitions, conferences, and state-recognized events and career development event competitions.  They are looking forward to their last contest at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Milk Quality Judging, Veterinary Science, Livestock Judging, Farm Power and Best Informed Greenhand.

To learn more about the Eureka High Agriculture Department and all the wonderful programs they offer CLICK HERE to visit their website.

Jake Van Reusen



Press Contact:
Sierra Speer Dillon
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Eureka City Schools
[email protected]
Tel: 707-441-3373