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Banks Co. student wins top honors in state EMC/FFA competition

By Staff
Posted 10:46AM on Wednesday 5th March 2014 ( 10 years ago )
JEFFERSON - Banks County High School student Calvin Boyer recently placed first in the State EMC/FFA State Agricultural Education Career Development Event (CDE) with a score of 95.773; 2nd and 3rd place winners scored 88.775 and 88.630, respectively. The competition stresses the importance of electrical safety while helping to sharpen their wiring skills.<br /> <br /> Earlier, Boyer also won 1st place in the Area II competition in Jackson County, advancing him to the state level where he competed with other finalists.<br /> <br /> The 42 EMCs in Georgia, including Jackson EMC and FFA chapters across the state, host and sponsor FFA career events such as the wiring contest to teach high school students about the safe, efficient use of electricity. <br /> <br /> Boyer took home the $1,000 grand prize, while second place winner Eli Belflower of Bleckley County FFA received $750, and third place winner Cole Sosbee of White County FFA received $500. All state finalists received certificates honoring their achievements.<br /> <br /> The hands-on wiring exercise is equally popular with students and teachers who point to the benefits of hands-on learning.<br /> <br /> "Students in a hands-on program will remember the material better, feel a sense of accomplishment when the task is completed, and be able to transfer that experience easier to other learning situations," says Randall Pugh, president & CEO of Jackson EMC.<br /> <br /> "When more than one method of learning is offered, the information has a better chance of being stored in the student's memory for retrieval. They'll also stay on task more often because they are part of the learning process and not just spectators."<br /> <br /> According to Pugh, while winning the contest has obvious benefits, EMC representatives and students have come to appreciate an even greater benefit of the CDE: in some cases, student participation has served as the catalyst for pursuing college degree programs and career goals. In fact, a number of students have been inspired to pursue an education in the electric industry or agriculture. Some have graduated with engineering degrees, completed electrical courses at technical colleges and eventually landed jobs in their area of study. <br /> <br /> In addition to the practical wiring exercise, participants are required to complete a problem-solving multiple-choice exam and give a presentation describing the necessary steps to complete a specific electrical wiring task.

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