By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Free Enterprise Speech finalists took to Capitol Hill last week to meet with legislators.
The finalists received an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) to visit elected officials, witness Congress in session and visit historical sites.
“The trip to Washington, D.C. is a way to bring the entire Free Enterprise Speech contest full circle,” Mia Balko, TFB director of Urban Relations and Youth Activities, said. “Students are able to see first-hand government in action and interact with legislators. It’s a valuable learning experience that brings together what students learn in the classroom and through the contest.”
The students on the trip included Sarah Grace Alders, who was the state winner of the contest, of Nacogdoches County; Jacie Henefey. state runner-up, of Medina county; Marshall Halfmann of Falls County; Cahil Murchison of Caldwell County; Alyali Marcano of Dallas County; and Savana Ware of Crosby County.
The Free Enterprise Speech Contest is held annually and is open to any young Texas Farm Bureau member who has attended the organization’s Youth Leadership Conference.
Through the competition, students are asked to share what they learned at the conference about constitutional government and the free enterprise system.
The contest is an opportunity to earn money for college, gain valuable communication skills and hone leadership skills.
“Through the contest, high school students learn more about our country and our economy, and they communicate their understanding with different audiences. These students delivered their speeches to a variety of groups, including Rotary clubs, civic organizations, county Farm Bureaus and more,” Balko said. “The Free Enterprise Speech Contest helps build their confidence and guides them on the road to success.”
Applications and more information for this year’s Free Enterprise Speech contest are available online.