The Caston High School FFA parliamentary procedure team won state Feb. 10 in Lebanon. It next will go to the national contest in October in Indianapolis. In the front row from left are Madisyn Douglass, Jullina Sherrick, Haley Logan, Megan Fred and Myli Rude. In the back row are Jada Martz, Mason Prenatt, Josiah Helt, Braden Rush, Alex Ault and Ashley Fred. Photo provided by Caston High School.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

FULTON — For the first time ever, a Caston High School FFA parliamentary procedure team has won state.

Team members placed first in the contest in Lebanon Feb. 10 by topping the other seven best teams statewide.

Team coach, Tiffany Douglass, who works with Caston FFA Advisor Nick Korniak to lead the team, noted the 11 students on it “were really excited” to win.

“It’s an extremely difficult contest to win,” she said. “There are a few of them that were on our novice team that went to state two years ago, and they just fell short of winning it.”

“They knew they did well, but they were very surprised they were (the winning team) because when you get to state all of the teams are really good,” added Douglass.

To make it to state, the team placed in the top two at a district contest, followed by winning a section contest.

Parliamentary procedure teaches students how to conduct meetings following Robert’s Rules of Order.

“When they make it to state, they have to actually do a demonstration, so they’ll get cards that have different motions on them and then it will be highlighted or underlined if they have to do that motion and then they have to do debate,” explained Douglass. “They work together as a team to perform all those motions.”

She said team members “also take individual tests.”

“They have to answer individual questions and team questions over the motions they had,” said Douglass.

She said she believed the experience contributed by the team’s three seniors and the team’s numerous practices helped it win state.

Douglass also added many of the students on the parliamentary procedure team are involved in other FFA leadership activities.

“Most of the kids participate in other leadership contests, like public speaking and demonstrations, which helps them with their (parliamentary procedure) contests,” she said.

The team next will go on to nationals in October, held at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

“They’ll have the top teams from all 50 states. When they compete there, they’ll compete as Team Indiana,” said Douglass.

She said the national contest “has more parts to it than our state contest.”

The team will start preparing for it later in the spring.

Regardless of whether the team wins the national contest, its members will “take the skills (from parliamentary procedure) into (the) future,” said Douglass.

“They learn how to think fast on their feet, how to properly defend their thoughts through debate,” she said, adding team members will probably continue into some sort of leadership roles after they graduate.

“I’m just really proud of the team,” said Douglass. “They’ve put a lot of time in … It’s nice to see their hard work pay off.”