Audrey Newkirk of Seymour FFA was a semifinalist in creed speaking at the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis in October. She finished in the top 16 out of 52 contestants.
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Special speaker
Thumbs up to Seymour High School sophomore Audrey Newkirk, who earned a berth in the semifinals (top 16) of the creed speaking contest at the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo in October in Indianapolis. As a freshman in the 2021-22 school year, she picked creed speaking as her leadership development event. That recognizes outstanding members in grades 7 through 9 for their ability to present the national FFA creed from memory and answer questions related to it. She won the district and state contests, the latter qualifying her to compete at the national level.
Successful spellers
Thumbs up to the members of the Brownstown Central High School Spell Bowl team that advanced to the state finals on Saturday at Purdue University in West Lafayette. Brownstown, which is in Class 3, was among that top 30, scoring 58 out of 90 and placing 17th in the state after the area competition Nov. 1 at Austin High School. Members of the team, coached by Angie Sibrel, are Eli Reynolds, Jayse Davis, Madison Edwards, Bryce Reaser, Elix Preston, Abby Tovey, Holden Tovey, Raegan Ratliff, Clayton Blackburn, Cody Blackburn, Violet Plumm, Jace Reaser, Floyd Davis and Landon Hehman.
Fair-well
Thumbs up to Jerry Hounshel and Barry Stuckwisch, who recently were recognized for their years of service as Jackson County Fair Association board members.
Youth of the Month
Thumbs up to Brownstown Central High School senior Madison Edwards, who recently was named Brownstown Exchange Club Youth of the Month for October. Edwards, the daughter of Jason and Andrea Edwards of Vallonia, plans to study architecture at Ball State University in Muncie after graduation. Each year, the club selects students of the month for October, November, December, January, February and March and then selects the youth of the year. Students of the month/year are selected for their excellence in academics, leadership, good citizenship, community service and development of well-rounded personalities. The youth of the year receives a $250 scholarship from the club and is its representative for either the male or female youth of the year during the Indiana State Exchange Conference in June.