Members of the West Central FFA Chapter were one of 30 teams that participated in the National FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE).  The event was held in conjunction with the 85th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN.  The team of Melinda Knuth, Liz Renner and Rachel Schartz ranked  among the top teams in the nation earning a Gold Emblem award and placing 9th over all. The team earned a berth in the national event after winning the state competition in April during the South Dakota State FFA Convention.

The team was recognized for excellence in the team presentation category by placing second in the nation after presenting in the final four round.  Each team member completed an editing exercise as well as a communications test.  Individual practicums which members participated in included web design, news writing and electronic media.  The team was also scored on the media plan that they prepared to lay out the planned publication materials and activities for a community hunger fighting initiative.

Renner, Knuth and Schartz were each awarded individual Silver medals in the event which was sponsored by Bader and Rutter, Dish Network and Osborn & Barr as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.  The team is advised and coached by Linda Petersen, West Central FFA Advisor and Agricultural Education Instructor.

The 85th National FFA Convention is in full swing and West Central FFA members have been busy representing South Dakota in the National Ag Communications CDE.

Team presentations and Editing and Communications tests were conducted on Wednesday, October 24, 2012.  The top four team presentations are called back for team finals on Thursday, October 25, 2012.  West Central is among those top four team presentations!  The team of Rachel Schartz, Melinda Knuth and Liz Renner will present their Hunger Helpers Media Plan for a second time this afternoon.  Team members are also competing in event practicums which include Web Page Design, News Writing, and Broadcast Journalism.  Full results for the Career Development Event will be announced during an awards luncheon on Friday, October 26, 2012.  We would be remiss if we did not extend our thanks to Paulsen Media, Sherry Knutson, Andrea Johnson, Karin Renner and all West Central Faculty and Staff who have helped our team to achieve.

Three members of the West Central FFA Chapter have advanced to national competition and will vie for national honors in the area of Agricultural Communications.  Members representing the state and chapter in the event include Liz Renner, Melinda Knuth and Rachel Schartz.

Pictured left to right: Liz Renner, Melinda Knuth, Rachel Schartz and Linda Petersen

Agricultural Communications is one of 24 career development event areas ranging from job skills in everything from communications to mechanics.  The three-member team is challenged in all areas of the agricultural communications field.  Participants attend a press conference, utilize information gathered in a team activity and complete individual practicums in design, electronic media and writing.  Students are also  tested on editing and other communications skills.  CDEs help students develop the abilities to think critically, communicate clearly and perform effectively in a competitive job market.  The event supports student development of sound communication principles to become strong assets to the agriculture industry in the future.

Renner, Knuth and Schartz earned a berth in the national competition by winning the state Agricultural Communications CDE earlier this spring.  The team will compete for individual scholarships and team awards worth more than $9000 made possible by the National FFA Foundation during the 85th National FFA Convention this October in Indianapolis, IN.  This year will be the third team to compete in the national Ag Communications CDE since the inception of the event in 2002.  Renner, Knuth and Schartz are members of the West Central FFA Chapter and are advised and coached by Linda Petersen.