This past June, members of the Garden Spot FFA chapter at Lampeter-Strasburg High School (LSHS) traveled to State College to compete in the 95th annual PA FFA State Convention. The students spent three days competing in various contests against groups from across the state, displaying their knowledge of specific agricultural and environmental topics.

Garden Spot FFA members Ava Immel, Antonio France, Maddux Harsh and Avery Plank competed on the Environmental and Natural Resources team, which placed third in the competition. The Small Gas Engines team, which placed seventh, comprised Jeff Keller and Trent Thomas. Additional competing students included Landon Slaugh and John Deckman of the Milk Quality Products team; Brooke Rubincam, Ian Lyons, Alexis Swayne and Audrey Wagner of the Veterinary Sciences team; Leah Altobello and Madelyn Knudsen as individual competitors in the Nursery Landscape category; and Food Science team members Sarah Blount, Brianna Shaffer, Kat Geiter and Jonathon Conrad. Blount and Immel each earned a speaking spot at the convention by winning previous competitions at the county and regional level. During the convention, Garden Spot FFA adviser Holly Oberholtzer received the 2024 Pennsylvania State Gold Owl award.

Garden Spot FFA president Sarah Firestone earned first place in the extemporaneous public speaking competition. The Agricultural Mechanics team, which comprised chapter treasurer Jack Ross, Owen Williams, Landon Giberson and Rex Giberson, earned first place. Ross earned second place and Williams placed third as individual contestants. In October, Firestone and the Agriculture Mechanics team will travel to Indianapolis to compete in the National FFA Convention.

As a participant in the extemporaneous public speaking competition, Firestone randomly selected three prompts from 18 different topics related to agriculture, the environment, animal science and other areas. Firestone then selected one of the three choices, and she had 30 minutes to prepare a presentation. The first 10 minutes were allotted for research on a computer, which contestants were able to use to find articles and data to inform their presentations. Firestone discussed the topic of food scarcity at the county level and methods to control invasive species at the regional competition. Firestone's presentation at the state convention explored the impact of artificial intelligence on the agriculture industry.

"I've had a lot of experience and background in the agriculture industry," Firestone said. "I grew up riding horses, started showing livestock when I got to high school and I've worked on dairy and tobacco farms." Firestone added that during each competition, she focused on finding an aspect of her topic she could relate to personal experience.

Firestone credited Immel, the chapter's vice president, with improving Firestone's speaking skills as the two students advanced through the competition as opponents. "(Immel) is my best friend, and she's amazing at public speaking," Firestone added. "The people around me have allowed me to better myself, and they've continued to build me up to be a better presenter and public speaker."