Post date: Jan 06, 2017 5:25:24 PM
Kaycee Szymanski, staff
It may take two to tango, but in this case, two means double the spotlight and infamy for one SBHS family.
Siblings Bridger (11) and Danika (9) Gordon swept the state qualifier spots for FFA creed speaking at the meet held in Wall, SD, in November. Bridger won state qualifier and Danika took second place, which sent both of them to the state competition.
They aren’t the first in their family to win at the state level.
“It has been a family tradition,” Bridger said. “My mom, aunt and uncle have won state FFA contests before. Now, my cousins and I have won numerous state FFA contests as well, continuing the tradition.”
Getting ready for the competitions means putting in long hours and being dedicated to a hoped-for outcome.
“I have given my speech numerous times to family members, community friends, and classmates. I researched my topic (GMO Labeling) and read articles about it to become more knowledgeable,” Bridger said.
Danika said she practices “in the evenings after I have finished my homework. I practice in front of a mirror, so I can see what I look like while speaking and what changes I should make.”
State was broken into two days, Sunday and Monday. Bridger had three competitions on Sunday night. He got second in job interview and his team placed first overall in parliamentary procedure, but since his team received 9th at State, he didn’t get an award.
However, out of everyone competing in parliamentary procedure, Bridger received the highest score.
At her competition on Sunday evening, Danika took second place in creed speaking after winning the first competition this year in Rapid City. Danika led the competition in a landslide, even besting the score Bridger received two years ago.
“I was confident that I would do well at state,” Danika said. “It was very busy and stressful having all three of my contests in one evening, but I was able to do the best I could while competing.”
National competition will be held in Indianapolis Oct. 25-28, 2017.