Morgan Houk from the Girard FFA chapter was announced the winner of the Kansas FFA Prepared Public Speaking Career Development Event (CDE) during the 88th Kansas FFA State Convention, June 1-3, 2016, on the Kansas State University campus.

Members must submit a manuscript and bibliography, present a 6- to 8-minute speech and answer questions about their selected speech topic in this CDE contest. Houk’s speech was titled, “From Field to Fork: How 40% of U.S. Food is Wasted.”

By winning at the state level, Houk is eligible to compete in the national Prepared Public Speaking CDE at the National FFA Convention in fall 2016.

Other finalists include: Andrea Chestnut, Clay Center, placing second; Natalie Harris, Chapman, placing third; and SaRae Roberts, Hillsboro, placing fourth.

The event is sponsored by Via Christi Hospital-Manhattan.