Gordon Central High School student Gibson Priest was announced as a winner of the Northwest Georgia FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Career Development Event (CDE) recently.

Priest has earned the opportunity to advance to state competition in Macon, Georgia at the annual FFA convention.

Judges for the event included agriculture industry representative, Jim Barth. Sherry Loudermilk Executive Director of Georgia Green Industry and Matt McCutcheon past Georgia State FFA officer.

The Extemporaneous Public Speaking CDE is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to prepare and present a factual speech on a specific agricultural issue in a well thought out and logical manner. Members select one topic from a choice of categories, have 30 minutes to prepare a four to six minute speech, and respond to five minutes of questions following delivery.

The event, hosted by the Dawson County High School FFA in Dawsonville Georgia, is one of many educational activities in which FFA members practice the lessons taught in agricultural education classes.

The Georgia FFA Organization is a youth organization of more than 32,000 student members focused on preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Georgia Department of Education provides support, leadership and helps set direction for the FFA as a service to the local agricultural education programs.