For this contest, the four participantspresented a communications project proposal over electrical safety.This proposal contained a rationale for selecting the project, theobjectives of the project, the audiences to be targeted, the keymessages to be communicated, the media selected to accomplish theproject, and the criteria upon which the project was to beevaluated.

The second part of the contest involved twotests. The first was an editing exercise, in which correctproofreading marks had to be used. The second was a communicationsquiz that covered all the basic elements of journalistic writing andbroadcasting, public relations writing, and graphing design.

The last part of the contest consisted offour individual events. Each member was selected to do one eventprior to the contest. JenniferCochran was chosen to be the graphicdesigner, RachelMakarius was the press releasewriter, Beth Fouse filled the position of radio broadcaster, andHeather Makarius was the news writer. These four team membersattended a press conference, where they listened to an expert speakabout Foot-and-mouth Disease for 20 minutes. Afterward,Jennifer completed a graphic art, photo editing, and photocaption writing exercise. Rachel wrote a pressrelease, and Beth recorded a two minute radio broadcast onto acassette. Heather wrote a news story based on the information shegathered at the press conference

This is the highest that any team from theA-C FFA Chapter has ever placed at the national level. This is due tothe team's hard work and dedication, and to the help ofKyle and TonyaSharp, A-C FFA Alumni Members.The Ag Communications team would like to thank them for their extraeffort in helping them prepare for the contest.

Megan Miller, Heather Hines, Jordon Lee,Brian Bussert, Emilee Klamfoth, Jenny Zaayer, Heather Bussert, RachelMakarius, Beth Fouse, Kristin Graves, Lindsay Turner, JenniferBennett, Jace Spires, David Thomas, Christina Gierhart, HollyEdwards, Justin Cox, and Calvin Hanes, along with 2001 graduates Jennifer Cochran, Mike Justice, and CliffRutter, went on the 'long trip'.

They left the school early Wednesday morningand arrived at the convention in the afternoon, when the AgCommunications team took their written test and the balance of othermembers served as Courtesy Corps at the Career Show. The group thenattended the Reflections II Session of the Convention.

On Thursday, the Ag Communications teamfinished the rest of their competition. All other members went to aworkshop of their choice. Afterward, the group attended Session II,where the A-C FFA was recognized for being a 2-star chapter. Fordinner, they ate at a Zephyr's Cove restaurant, where members trieddifferent exotic foods, such as buffalo, ostrich, wild rabbit, andcalamari (squid).

On Friday, they visited the Louisville Zoo,toured the Forestry Discovery Center and lumber mill, and toured theHuber Orchard. Then, the Ag Communications team attended a banquetwhere they received their contest results. At 10 p.m., the group,including the short trip attendees, went to a dance at the conventioncenter.

The group attended Session VIII Saturdaymorning, where EricValentine received his American FFA Degree, the highest degreeany FFA member can receive. Only thetop half percent of all FFA members earn this degree. After lunch,they went to Session IX, where Heather Makarius wasrecognized for placing 3rdindividually in the nation for the Ag Communicationscontest. In the afternoon, the groupattended Session X, where Trent McNight, the past National FFAPresident, gave his retiring address, and the National FFA Officerswere elected for the upcoming year. Saturday evening, the studentswent through the "Industrial Nightmare," a haunted house inLouisville, and had the opportunity to play laser tag.

On Sunday, the group headed home. On theway, they stopped at Big Bone Lick State Park and the Bass Pro ShopsOutdoor World.

Samantha Wiggins, Joe Adkins, RustyHarvey, Travis Kiser, Sandy Larson, Christina Kazee, and MalloryMcMaster went on the 'short trip'.They arrived in Louisville Friday afternoon and stayed for the threesessions on Saturday.