Johnson Collins of Pickens County High School and Makayla Holmes from Sonoraville Middle were announced as winners of the Northwest Georgia Junior Public Speaking Career Development Event (CDE) last night at the area competition. These top two individuals have earned the opportunity to advance on to state contest held annually in Macon, Ga. Judges for the event included Gordon County Career Tech Director Amy Parker, John Richardson General Manager of Learning Labs, and John Hatfield Environmental Instructor of Chattahoochee Tech.

The Public Speaking CDE is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to present a prepared public speech in a competitive setting. Members write and deliver the speech from memory. The event gives FFA members the opportunity to develop the ability to communicate in a powerful, organized and professional manner.

The competition, hosted at Ashworth Middle School in Calhoun, is one of many educational activities in which FFA members practice the lessons taught in agricultural education classes.

The Georgia FFA organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of more than 30 thousand student members - all 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. The Georgia Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to local agricultural education programs.