LYFORD — Lyford High School seniors Morgan Thomas and Bailey Scogin took top state awards in an FFA competition that taught them how to climb into agriculture jobs.
Thomas took third place while Scogin placed sixth in the Texas FFA’s Leadership Career Development awards Dec. 4 in Huntsville.
“It makes me really proud to represent Lyford at that level,” Scogin said.
Thomas, daughter of Mitch and Linda Thomas, competed in the FFA’s Creed division, beating 766 competitors.
“You basically recite the creed word-for-word. The creed symbolizes everything an FFA member should strive to become,” she said. “The judges judge you on your ability to present yourself in front of an audience. It’s about them believing what you believe in — that you believe in the future of agriculture.”
Thomas faced three questions from a three-judge panel.
“The judges asked, how would you change the creed, what’s the most important part of the creed to you and how we can make a difference in the agriculture industry,” Thomas said. “The main thing to stress is this is our time to make change. If everyone in FFA works together toward a common goal we can accomplish the unthinkable.”
Scogin, the daughter of Cody and Wendy Scogin, competed in the event’s job interview category, beating out 545 competitors.
“It helps you prepare for your interviews in the workplace,” she said.
First, she wrote her resume, along with a cover letter requesting an interview.
Then she filled out a job application, requesting an internship at the Helena Chemical Co.’s precision agriculture department.
“If your cover letter is not interesting, you might not get it,” she said.
After a telephone interview, she tried to land a personal interview.
“You have to request an in-person interview,” she said. “You tell them you’re very interested in the position.”
Soon, she was standing before a three-judge panel.
“They had questions about my qualifications and how they could relate to the internship,” she said. “When they get you face-to-face, they see if you can fit into the company culture and learn about your personal characterizations.”
