TEMPLE— Three Texas FFA members, have traveled a long competitive path contending against peers throughout the state to win top honors in the statewide Soil Stewardship Public Speaking Contest. The event focused on the theme, “Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators?” The speech contest was held in conjunction with the virtual 92nd Texas FFA State Convention on July 6th-10th.
The contest is sponsored by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD) in cooperation with the Texas FFA Association.
Placing first and earning a scholarship in the amount of $3,000 was Caroline Bacon, a member of the Harper FFA Chapter. Bacon earned the state award as a junior at Harper High School.
Earning second place honors along with a $2,000 scholarship was Caroline Lilly, a member of the Vista Ridge FFA Chapter.
Third place honors along with a $1,000 scholarship went to Karlie Lowe, a junior at Bullard High School and a member of Bullard FFA.
On behalf of the ATSWCD which provides the scholarship funds, Rick Schilling, president of ATSWCD said, “The value of this initiative is that every student who participates in this program becomes an ambassador for agriculture and the soil and water conservation district program in Texas.”
Concurring with Schilling, Barry Mahler, chairman of the TSSWCB added, “Through this speech contest we try to support agricultural education by providing a means through which students can develop leadership skills and real-world awareness to accurately speak about renewable natural resources issues and how to address them. Furthermore, the program gives the student a better vision of the future of agriculture and how agriculture benefits the state and nation’s society as a whole,” added Mahler.
For more information about the Soil Stewardship Public Speaking Contest visit: https://www.tsswcb.texas.gov/programs/public-information-and-education/soil-and-water-stewardship-public-speaking-contest
Skip to Content
Back to top