Crisp County High School is proud to congratulate one of our very own on her most recent win.
Ryan Kelly, Future Farmers of America (FFA) member, recently placed first in the Area 5 South Region Employment Skills Leadership Development Event (LDE) held at the University of Georgia Tifton campus.
Participants in the event prepare for their future careers by developing the skills needed to seek employment in the agriculture industry.
More than 30 judges from across the South Region volunteered to evaluate the participants.
The Employment Skills LDE provides students with a unique opportunity to simulate the real-world job application process. From submitting a cover letter and résumé to completing a job application and participating in an interview, students are challenged to present themselves professionally.
The event sharpens leadership skills such as active listening, problem-solving, and decision-making, while also strengthening written and oral communication skills.
Ryan says, "FFA career development events like this one help prepare me and other contestants for real-world experiences. I have gained many public speaking and interview skills through this event. This event has given me experience that I can carry on with me for the rest of my life in my career."
FFA Advisor and Agricultural Education Teacher, Jesse Kelly, stated, "Ryan's dedication to and perseverance in this contest have been remarkable. She has consistently pushed herself to learn from her failures and take constructive criticism to understand and refine her interview skills, becoming a fierce competitor."
The top two students from each area will advance to the state Employment Skills LDE at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on December 13, 2025. State winners will then compete at the National FFA Convention in October 2026.
Ryan, a Senior at the High School, also serves as chairman of the board for the Youth Livestock Ambassador program for the Georgia National Fairgrounds.
What is the Youth Livestock Ambassador Program?
It's a program run by the Georgia National Fair/Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter (GNFA). Its purpose is to promote youth involvement in livestock and agriculture. To also help youth serve as ambassadors by educating the public and representing junior livestock exhibitors.
Ambassadors help raise awareness about the importance of youth agricultural involvement and highlight the accomplishments of youth in livestock.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of more than one million student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. The Georgia FFA Association has a membership of more than 81,000, making it the third-largest association in the nation. The Georgia Department of Education provides leadership and direction for FFA as a service to local agricultural education programs.