Jerry Downen and Chance Gilliam of the Duke FFA Chapter have been nominated to receive the prestigious State FFA Degree, the highest awarded by the Oklahoma FFA Association. The recipients have received their degree on Wednesday, April 28 at the 78th annual State FFA Convention, which was held at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City. The Duke Agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor is Jim Horchler.

This honor is bestowed upon high school senior FFA members who have demonstrated outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience programs and leadership activities. The State FFA Degree recipients must have successfully advanced through the Discovery, Greenhand, and Chapter degrees to earn the state honor. Only 724 of the 23,104 Oklahoma FFA members have advanced to earn the State FFA Degree.

Each recipient will attend a banquet in their honor and will receive the gold FFA degree charm and plaque.

The degree recognition is co-sponsored by Murphy Farms, Oklahoma LP Gas Research, Marketing and Safety Commission and Great Plains Coca-Cola.

More than 12,000 FFA members and guest will be in attendance at the 78th annual State FFA Convention. Participants will experience leadership and personal development workshops, as well as presentations by educational and motivational speakers, including Andy Andrews, Sue Thomas, and Dr. Rick Rigsby.

Other highlights include the selection of the top FFA members in 49 proficiency award areas, recognition of top teams in state career development events, naming the State Star Farmer and State Star in Agribusiness, and election of the 2004-2005 State FFA officer team.

FFA is an integral part of the agricultural education division within the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology Education. FFA's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

The agricultural education state staff and state FFA officer team congratulates Jerry and Chance for having earned the Oklahoma State FFA Degree. They are truly among "the best of the best" of the FFA senior class of 2004.