On Nov. 12, Emerson’s Future Farmers of America club competed at the district Leadership Development Events (LDE) competition at McKinney High School. Both Senior Spanish Creed and Senior Creed competition events placed first and will advance to the area competition held at Anna High School on Nov. 22.

The Senior Quiz is an exam that tests team members’ knowledge of the FFA, agricultural education, current agricultural events and parliamentary procedure. For FFA vice president Devansh Verma, 12, diligent preparation and studying are the keys to success.

“Preparing for this event involves deepening our understanding of the FFA program and the organization as a whole,” Verma said. “Gaining understanding about current agricultural issues and reviewing the books and materials provided were essential in helping me get ready.”

While encountering obstacles and challenges is inevitable when it comes to participating in the competition, it is what builds resilience and perseverance in students.

“We are tasked with reading 400 pages and are tested on facts that the examiners can draw from anywhere in the book,” Verma said. “The volume of information we need to know can emerge as a challenge, making thorough preparation crucial.”

The Spanish Creed Speaking event requires participants to recite the legendary paragraphs of the FFA Creed in Spanish from memory and answer questions about its meaning and purpose. Nicole Perez, 12, was the driving force behind Emerson FFA’s first-place victory in the Spanish Creed competition.

“During my first year in FFA, my teacher encouraged me to participate in the Creed speaking competition in English,” Perez said. “I really enjoyed it, and when I discovered I could compete in Spanish, I knew I wanted to give it a try. Since Spanish is my first language, it hits close to home.”

Beyond rigorous preparation, having a supportive team is also essential for success in competitions. Luckily, the Emerson FFA embodies just that.

“Our vice president Devansh has been such a great leader,” Perez said. “He is someone that does not let my nerves get ahead of me in stressful situations. I am grateful to have a strong quiz team.”

Take a look at the competition results listed below!

• Agricultural Advocacy: 7th Place
• Radio Broadcast: 8th Place
• Greenhand Quiz: 6th Place
• Senior Creed: 1st Place
• Senior Spanish Creed: 1st Place