The CareerTech State Board Meeting held on December 2024 focused on celebrating the achievements of Oklahoma students in agricultural education and public speaking. The meeting highlighted the success of students in national competitions, particularly in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.

The session began with a recognition of the accomplishments of Oklahoma students at the national level, emphasizing their consistent success. Mr. Nemechek, a representative from the FFA, acknowledged the hard work of agricultural teachers across the state, noting that their dedication is crucial to the success of the programs.

A key highlight was the introduction of Coy Davidson, a senior from Elgin High School, who recently won the national prepared public speaking contest. Davidson shared his journey, starting from his initial involvement in FFA in the eighth grade, to his recent achievement. He discussed the importance of selecting relevant and timely topics for speeches, citing his choice of cybersecurity and espionage in agriculture as a significant issue that needs attention.

Davidson detailed the rigorous preparation process he underwent, which included extensive research and practice. He participated in various competitions leading up to the national event, including winning the state FFA speech competition. His experience included traveling to conferences and networking with professionals in the field, which he found invaluable.

The meeting concluded with a sense of pride in the accomplishments of Oklahoma students and a commitment to continue supporting agricultural education. The board emphasized the importance of providing resources to teachers and students to foster further success in future competitions. The next steps include ongoing support for FFA programs and encouraging more students to engage in public speaking and leadership opportunities within agriculture.