Members of the Herkimer FFA Chapter recently attended their first Leadership Development Event as part of New York State District 5 competitions.
Eight members participated in different events on Feb. 3 that encourage career development and personal growth, and they participated in a Meals of Hope community service project at Hamilton Central School.
Seventh grader Gwedalyn McCutcheon, freshman Connor McCutcheon, freshman Hailey Gerhardt, sophomore Russell Stapf, a junior and a senior participated in the Employment Skills competition, which involved students developing a cover letter and resume and then participating in a mock interview with a panel of judges.
Senior Althea Brown and a sophomore participated in the Senior People in Agriculture competition, which involved students completing a detailed manuscript and giving a presentation to a panel of judges about careers they researched in one of the agricultural career pathways.
Gwedalyn McCutcheon and two other students were selected to move on to the finalist rounds during the event. Two of those students will move on to sub-states, which will occur in March.
The National FFA Organization is a leadership program that promotes and educates about agriculture, food and natural resources and is an integral part of agriculture education in schools.
Some of the students that participated in this event aren’t approved for media use, so their names were excluded from this story.
Herkimer Central School District seventh grader and Herkimer FFA Chapter member Gwendalyn McCutcheon preparing for her interview during a Leadership Development Event as part of New York State District 5 competitions on Feb. 3.
Herkimer FFA Chapter members playing games during the Leadership Development Event as part of New York State District 5 competitions on Feb. 3.
Herkimer Central School District freshman and Herkimer FFA Chapter member Hailey Gerhardt holds a business card after making real-life networking connections during her interview at a Leadership Development Event as part of New York State District 5 competitions on Feb. 3.
Herkimer Central School District freshman and Herkimer FFA Chapter member Connor McCutcheon waits “on deck” for an interview during a Leadership Development Event as part of New York State District 5 competitions on Feb. 3.
Herkimer Central School District senior and Herkimer FFA Chapter member Althea Brown giving her presentation in front of the judges during a Leadership Development Event as part of New York State District 5 competitions on Feb. 3.
Herkimer Central School District sophomore and Herkimer FFA Chapter member Russell Stapf walking the halls during a Leadership Development Event as part of New York State District 5 competitions on Feb. 3.