New Bloomfield hosts its first FFA leadership invitational event

FFA members from nine Missouri schools participate in the written portion of competitions at a leadership development event in New Bloomfield.
FFA members from nine Missouri schools participate in the written portion of competitions at a leadership development event in New Bloomfield.

NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - A stream of blue jackets and black slacks and skirts descended upon New Bloomfield High School on Tuesday evening.

FFA members from 10 Missouri school districts gathered for New Bloomfield's first invitational FFA leadership development event.

FFA adviser and agriculture education teacher Dean Reichel put together the event, where students had the chance to compete in events that tested their knowledge of ag sales, public speaking, parliamentary procedure and employment skills.

"We're trying to fill a void," Reichel said.

Reichel was inspired to host an event in New Bloomfield after learning the Russellville FFA Chapter would not put on an invitational as it has in past years.

"My brother teaches ag down in Eldon, and when Russellville decided not to have it down there, he said, 'You really ought to consider putting one on,'" Reichel said.

He ran the idea by local FFA alumni and New Bloomfield R-1 School District Superintendent Sarah Wisdom. Wisdom was recruited to help judge employment skills, an event where students go through a simulation of the job-seeking process, completing a job application and participating in an interview.

"She said, 'Absolutely, go for it,'" Reichel said. "So this kind of came about as a casual conversation and just kind of rolled downhill."

Invitational events serve as practice for area and district competitions. New Bloomfield's area competition will take place March 18 in Centralia. Reichel said events like these help students develop skills and make friends.

"When I was in high school, I was a state champion in one of these events, so I'm very passionate about it," Reichel said.

In past years, senior and New Bloomfield FFA President Kalyn Davis competed in many of the events held Tuesday.

"I've done several of these different speaking contests, and I've enjoyed every one of them because it gives me real-life skills that I'll use in my job and just in public speaking in general," she said. "It's just a great opportunity."

Davis said she "dove in headfirst" with FFA when she started high school - she'd seen how much fun her older brother had when he was a part of FFA.

During this event, though, Davis wasn't competing. Instead, she was shadowing Reichel, helping him throughout the evening. Davis was in a serious car accident in August. In the aftermath, she's taken a step back from competition.

Seeing an FFA competition in action from the other side is also a useful experience for Davis, who plans to pursue a career in agricultural education.

Reichel called the event a success.

"Based on the feedback we received from the FFA advisors from the attending schools, we are planning for next year's event already," Reichel wrote in an email.