Proper preparation and verbal skill earned Niles resident Kyle Miller, of the Cassopolis FFA Chapter top placement in the state prepared public speaking career development event (CDE) in February.

Kyle will compete in October for scholarships and the title of national winner of the 83rd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

In addition to placing first in public speaking, Kyle will be serving as the 2010-11 Michigan state treasurer. He was elected treasurer at the Michigan FFA Convention held March 10-12 in East Lansing.

A senior at Niles High School, Kyle is the son of Herb and Joyce Miller. After graduation, Kyle will be attending Michigan State University and majoring in crops and soil science with the goal of becoming an agronomist.

Prepared public speakers are required to prepare and deliver a six- to eight-minute speech based on an agricultural topic they have selected and researched. Participants must present their speeches in front of a panel of judges who, after the speech ends, question the speaker for five minutes on his or her chose topic. The research skills students invest in the event and the verbal abilities they develop help them to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

The Cassopolis FFA celebrated the chapter’s success at its annual FFA Banquest March 26 at Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School.