Future Farmers of America

Southeast District 2005 Outstanding Young Agriculturalist

Congratulations to Lakeland High School senior, and president of the FFA Chapter, Amanda Aston for being selected as the Southeast District 2005 Outstanding Young Agriculturalist winner. As the district award winner, she has been asked to participate in the state level competition at the Virginia Farm Bureau Convention on Monday, November 28 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. The 2005 Virginia Farm Bureau Outstanding Young Agriculturalist will be announced at a luncheon following a judging event. If Aston is chosen the winner, she will be asked to provide her oral presentation during the family night program on Monday, November 28, beginning at 7 p.m.

Lakeland FFA Award Winner

Lakeland High School’s Matthew Harrell was named the Star in Agricultural Placement for the FFA’s Eastern Area at the recent convention of the Virginia Association of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) held at Virginia Tech. He was selected as having the top program of all members working in a placement situation in another’s farming operation. Harrell who is a 2004 graduate of Lakeland has worked since the ninth grade on the farm of Billy and Kenny Worrell. He has performed all operations on the farm which raises peanuts, cotton, corn soybean and wheat.

Harrell applied for the award by submitting his State FFA Degree application. This form summarizes the cumulative work program of the FFA member during their entire FFA career. In order to receive the State FFA Degree, the member must show a balance between work, academics, and school and community activity. Harrell’s application was judged to be the best from among all students in Virginia’s FFA Eastern Area comprised of twenty-one FFA chapters located in the corner of the state east of Interstate 95.

At the convention, Harrell was recognized on stage in front of the convention’s 1,200 members. For his efforts he was rewarded with an area plaque and a check for $100.
Harrell’s award was especially noteworthy for a family reason. His father, Clint, received the same recognition as a graduated senior from Forest Glen High School and P.D. Pruden Vocational Center at the 1980 State FFA Convention. The elder Harrell was on hand at Blacksburg to watch his son stand in front of the same star he stood in front of 25 years earlier.

Harrell is the son of Clint and Lelia Harrell of Lummis Road in Suffolk. He is now pursuing a career as a professional fire fighter.

Lakeland FFA Members Compete at State

Members of the Lakeland chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) fared very well in competitions at the recent State FFA Convention held at Virginia Tech. This year’s convention was attended by over 1,200 members from across the state.

Whitney James competed as a finalist in the Prepared Public Speaking Career Development Event. Speaking in the preliminary round in the morning, she was selected as one of the two finalists to present their speech in front of the entire convention that evening. Her speech, which focused on the effect of the latest federal farm bill on the area, had to be from six to eight minutes in length. She was then required to answer oral questions from the judges for five minutes. By finishing second in the state, James qualified to compete at the Eastern States Exposition commonly known as the “Big E” in Springfield, Massachusetts in September. There she will be competing against representatives from sixteen states.

Antonio Mielak competed in the Job Interview competition. He had to present a resume, fill out a job application and go through an interview with a panel of judges. Mielak, who was only a freshman, placed eighth in the state in this event.

The Lakeland Livestock Judging team comprised of Jason Anderton, Jessica Estienne, Courtney Migneault, and George O’Berry placed sixteenth out of fifty-three teams competing. This is the highest placing ever for a team from Lakeland. Team members were required to judge and grade beef cattle, swine, and sheep. O’Berry was the highest scoring individual on the team placing fifteenth in the state.

Joshua Holland also attended the convention, working on the Courtesy Corps. This group provides assistance to all members and guests attending the convention as well as working back stage and behind the scenes at the convention.

In addition to the work of the convention, members were treated to a barbecue one evening, a dance another evening, and time to explore the Virginia Tech campus and facilities.