Buchholz Shares Tips for Competition Prep!

​States Before States
By: Lindsay Studstill, Vice President of Leadership Buchholz High School
 
What is the best way to prepare for states? Holding a miniature states among our chapter members. Each February, our chapter holds a showcase for all of our members attending states to present their project, or preform a practice role-play to alumni, or business owners and managers from around Gainesville. This is one of my favorite practices of our chapter holds every year.
Every year, our officer team works hard to bring in different professionals and alumni from around Gainesville to help out students prepare for states. These professionals and alumni come in during class and help our members who are attending states on their role-plays and presentations.
Although our members practice during class, I believe that our showcase is what truly helps them the most. Participants dress in professional dress, and sit at a desk with their professional or alumni. They then present their role-play or presentation and are judged based off the performance indicators for their category.
After the participants present, each judge provides the participant with their comments and suggestions. This practice is extremely beneficial for freshman and members that have not been to states, so they know more of what to expect when they arrive in Orlando. States can seem pretty intimidating for those who have never been, so showcase provides them with a trial run before they have to present in front of the real judges.
Not only is the showcase beneficial for those who have never been, but it is also a great opportunity for returners to brush up on their skills before returning to Orlando. I believe that this is one of the best practices to help our members prepare and excel at states. 

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