Doniphan student recognized in state public speaking contest

Pictured from left are winners of the Missouri Forest Products Association speaking contest: first place, Madilynn Cook; third place, Brooklyn Fleming; Carmella Pendergrass; Marlee Jones; and second place, Bethany Slovensky.

A Doniphan Future Farmers of America student was recently recognized in a state public speaking contest.

Carmella Pendergrass of Doniphan High School in an event held by the Missouri Forest Products Association, in conjunction with the Missouri FFA chapters.

The second annual FFA Public Speaking Contest was open to all Missouri FFA student members enrolled in vocational agriculture courses during the fall semester of the 2023-24 school year.

Of the 12 students competing at the district level, the top six finalists (one from each FFA district in Missouri) each presented their six to eight minute speech and answered follow-up questions on the topic of “What are the carbon benefits of the forest and wood products industry?”

Madilynn Cook from Forsyth High School located in Forsyth, Missouri, was selected as the statewide winner.

Three finalists were then selected during the MFPA’s winter meeting in Jefferson City at Courtyard Marriott on Jan. 9. First place and $200 were awarded to Madilynn Cook, second place and $150 went to Bethany Slovensky and Brooklyn Fleming received $100 for third place.

The other finalists for the 2023/24 school year were:

• Emily Ramsey of Braymer High School

• Marlee Jones of Cuba High School

• Pendergrass

Missouri is home to more than 26,000 FFA members.

“A large component of Missouri Forest Products Association is education, so partnering with Missouri FFA is a perfect fit for us,” said Brian Brookshire, executive director of MFPA. “It is a great opportunity for MFPA to reach young leaders across the state and allow them to learn about and present a speech on a topic that pertains to not only our industry but a topic that is important to everyone’s future.

“We were quite impressed with the finalists for this year’s contest. We’d like to officially thank the students who participated and congratulate the winners.”