Makala Paalman of the Freedom FFA Chapter was named the state winner of the FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE). The Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE was held at the 94^th State Convention of the Wisconsin Association of FFA in Madison, Wisconsin. Paalman’s advisor is Mrs. Sarah Heezan and Mr. Jacob Timm.

 To qualify for the state finals, students must compete in several other contests including district contest, sectional contest, and finally the state semi-finals in Madison.

The Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE is designed to allow students participating to showcase their agricultural knowledge and ability to think on their feet by giving a speech and answering questions with limited prep time.

The other finalists were:

2^nd Place: Madeline Hensel, Pittsville

3^rd Place: Maria Lee, Random Lake

4^th Place: Morgan Firlus, Mauston

The State FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE is sponsored at the state level by Wisconsin FFA Foundation Annual Fund.

Paalman will represent Wisconsin at the 96^th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. this November. The national winner will be selected from a group of state finalists and will receive a plaque and additional scholarship money sponsored by American Farm Bureau Federation, Invenergy and Nationwide Foundation.