Jaguar Triumph: Southern University Student Places First

Southern University student, Joshua Simon of Morganza, Louisiana became the winner of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences’ (MANRRS) Undergraduate Written Essay Contest. Junior Urban Forestry major, Joshua Simon claimed success as he placed first in the contest at the National Society. Simon attended the National MANRRS 31st Annual Career Fair and Training Conference in Jacksonville, Florida from March 30 up until April 2, 2016.
Every year the MANRRS Conference provides a forum for student members to showcase their talents and abilities through their participation in contests. All students that participate in such an event compete against top-tier universities and colleges from across the United States in a total of 10 contests that range from Undergraduate and Graduate Oral and Poster Research, Research Discussion and Written Essay to a Business Plan Pitch Competition.
Simone place first out of a total of 60 contestants, with his essay entitled, “Growing the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders.”
“I was thrilled, almost in disbelief when I was named as the first place winner of the national written essay contest,” said Simon. “When competing against larger institutions, Southern University is often overlooked as a competitor, but they were shown different in this competition. I truly enjoyed winning first place and I am looking forward to next year to hopefully win first in another competition. I am proud to be an Urban Forestry student at Southern U,” said Simon. He ended by saying, “I plan to go back next year and compete in the writing contest again and possibly compete in the research discussion or the impromptu speaking contest also.”
MANRRS is a national student organization that believes in “promoting academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences.”
The organization has more than 50 chapters at universities throughout the country that include: the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Louisiana State, Clemson, Florida A&M, Auburn, Alcorn State, The Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue and Prairie View A&M Universities.
For additional information about the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences organization, visit manrrs.org.