On Tuesday, Feb. 11th, Future Farmers of America held a public speaking contest for local members. Two Dover FFA members participated in the event. Freshman Madison Lake placed first in Creed speaking, and senior Jordyn Walker placed first in Extemporaneous speaking with the guidance of FFA adviser Britney Marsh.

Marsh talks about how she prepared the FFA students for the competition before the event: “We held numerous practice sessions, allowing the students to practice different topics and questions.”

Lake gave insight into how she prepared before the event. She said, “I prepared by speaking to others, saying the creed to teachers and just really studying the creed in my free time and making sure I got it down.”

Marsh loves to watch the competition, especially when her students do well. “Madison and Jordyn are great and work hard. They deserved first place,” she said.

Lake wasn’t confident in getting first or even top three because of the six other competitors, but the support from Marsh helped her. “I look up to Miss Marsh because she is an amazing teacher and definitely supports me and my accomplishments I’ve made so far. She has definitely been there and supported me through the competitions,” Lake said.

Marsh enjoys being an FFA adviser and working with her students. Her favorite part is “getting the opportunity to watch my students grow, learn, and really come into their own.” Marsh is proud of Lake’s passion and diligence as an FFA member.

Lake explained what she loves about FFA. “In FFA, I can just be myself. No one will really judge me for who I am, because in FFA we are all family, and that’s a perfect example of why others should join FFA. We support one another and help each other achieve our goals. FFA is one of the best things to have in my life.”