LAKE HUNTINGTON — Sullivan West junior Alison McCarthy is preparing to represent New York State at a national FFA public-speaking competition in Indianapolis in October.

McCarthy advanced through several levels of prepared public speaking before winning at the state level. The event requires competitors to write and memorize a speech of about seven and a half minutes and present it before judges.

Public speaking is one part of McCarthy’s involvement in Sullivan West FFA, a chapter she said has about 60 members.

About 90 percent of the chapter is made up of seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders, she said.

“We have a lot of younger kids that are coming up, and they’re getting really interested,” McCarthy said.

The chapter also participates in community projects.

Members visit the elementary school during Farm-to-School Day to teach younger students about agriculture, and last year participated in a New York State Grange challenge to assemble birthday kits for food pantries. Sullivan West donated its kits to a Monticello food pantry.

Secondary Principal David Eggleton said McCarthy has continued practicing her speech ahead of the national event by presenting it to different audiences.

Over the summer, she gave the speech at a Rural Schools Association event in Lake Placid, and she recently presented before the Sullivan County Legislature.

McCarthy said she hopes to attend SUNY Cobleskill after graduation and is considering a career in natural resources, possibly as a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officer.

“Anything related to natural resources,” she said. “I’m still exploring my options.”