William Waddy, a sophomore at Petersburg High School, placed fourth in the Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event at the 95th annual National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana.
As a freshman, Waddy participated in the recitation of the FFA Creed written by E.M. Tiffany in 1928 and adopted in 1930. In this five paragraph document, Tiffany expresses his strong belief in the industry of agriculture as well as citizenship and patriotism.
After winning the creed speaking contest at the regional level, Waddy attended the FFA State Convention held in July at Cedar Lakes in Ripley and won the state competition. Winning the state contest secured him the opportunity to be the West Virginia representative at the National FFA Convention in October.
Competing against 48 other speakers, Waddy moved on to the second round of 16 and finished as one of the four remaining speakers.
The winner was announced to a crowd of over 69,000 in the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. As the RFD-TV cameras rolled, Waddy was announced as the fourth-place winner.
Waddy was accompanied to the convention by his FFA advisor, Missy Whetzel, fellow FFA officers, parents and sister.
Being a descendant of the Alt and Kimble families, he was honored to recite the FFA creed in August at the Alt and Kimble Reunion held at the Old Judy Church.
Waddy, a seventh-generation farmer, enjoys working on the family farms and rental farms in Grant, Hardy, and Pendleton counties with his grandfather, father and sister.
He is the son of Bill and Norma Waddy of Fisher, grandson of John and Phyllis (Alt) Waddy of Petersburg and Victor and Betty Hardy of Fisher.
