Two Oakland High School students in Murfreesboro were selected to participate in special agriculture programs at the local, state and regional levels.

11th Grader Marley Poole is headed into the 12th grade this coming August. Poole was recently selected to participate in the Tennessee Governor's School for Agricultural Sciences at UT Martin. The program is a four week college experience for high school juniors and seniors.

Educators at Oakland report that scholars are exposed to various aspects of agriculture and natural resources in both the classroom, and through opportunities for hands on learning on and off campus at UT Martin. Classes are taught by faculty and the chosen students earn 6 college credit hours.

Marley will spend the month taking college classes with a select group of scholars from across the state and will be able to tour places like the Bayer Research Lab, Tosh Farms, Tyson Foods, the Tennessee State Capitol, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, the Neyland Stadium and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Upcoming 11th grade student Hannah Harrell at Oakland High School qualified to compete at the Tennessee State FFA Prepared Public Speaking contest. Harrell will be among 6 speakers competing at the Tennessee FFA State Convention, which will be this June in Gatlinburg.

LeAnn Hays at Oakland High told WGNS NEWS, "The Tennessee FFA Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event is designed to develop agricultural leadership, communication skills and promote interest in leadership and citizenship by providing member participation in agricultural public speaking activities."

Hays said that Hannah has spent the last several months researching, writing and formatting her speech. The title of her speech is “Cancel Culture and Its Impact on American Agriculture.”

After she gives her address, a panel of judges will ask her questions about the information she presented.