The American FFA Degree is the highest honor that can be achieved as an FFA member. Attaining the degree requires a solid commitment to agriculture. This degree was recently bestowed upon seven local FFA students at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The seven students receiving this honorary degree are Dakota Kinder, Brandon Varner, Brendan Price, Whitney White, Clement Elsener, Jake Fillmore and Trent Schrick. The Frederick FFA Advisor is Bill Blankenship. They were honored on October 27. Each were presented a gold key and a certificate. Bill Blankenship stated “This program is unique because active participants have an opportunity to experience activities that most people in high school will never have an opportunity to experience in other programs.” There are more than 50,000 students who attend the convention and award ceremony. “You put fifty thousand blue and gold jackets in that event center and I don't care who you are - that's an awesome sight! You have thirty-one hundred American Farmer recipients sitting on the floor and we have seven of them! That is spectacular that we have so recipients from this chapter alone at a single convention,” said the educator.
Two degree recipients expressed their thoughts about receiving this prestigious honor. Brendan Price's involvement has consisted of showing livestock, land judging and other activities. He reminisced of seeing Ethan Treadwell receive the honor when Price was a freshman in high school. “I always dreamed that I could get it, but didn't think it was possible.” commented Price. As an active member he has attended events at states including Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee. In the past Jake Fillmore has been very active in the program. He shared some of the life skills he learned from the program. “The hours we spent getting ready for fish fries, cleaning up grease, making hat racks, building panels and making money to attend a variety of leadership events is important. There is a little book work, but it is very hands on and we had fun doing livestock judging,” shared Fillmore. The honorary degree is a result of hard work and determination. The degree is a prestigious honor and recognition award for dedicated involvement in the supervised agricultural program.
FFA members who attended the convention learned some leadership skills for applying to the local chapter. Jennifer Ingram enjoyed attending the convention to meet members from other chapters. “I learned it is important to stand out as a leader,” shared Nicole Kinder. This response was mirrored by Colton Gaines and Blake Sebree. Amber Wasinger learned that it is important to represent the FFA in an exemplimentary manner. The public forms opinions of organizations based on actions of the members.
Members enjoyed several vocational experiences on the trip. Miranda Hoover enjoyed visiting the dairies and representing Frederick at the convention. She saw a record setting number of local FFA members receive degrees at the convention. Whitney Longacre enjoyed visiting the Indianapolis Speedway. “We viewed new cars at the speedway and rode on the race track,” stated Longacre. Daulton Jacobs enjoyed this experience, as well. “I enjoyed attending the career show,” stated Wilma Van der Laan.
A very important strength in the chapter is the support garnered from the administration. Ruth Ann Hoover, Frederick High School Principal, attended the convention and saw all seven former students receive degrees. “When there is fifty-four thousand students at the convention and seven of them from Frederick receive a national award - that is a tremendous accomplishment for the students, parents and our agriculture program.” said Hoover.
Each degree recipient is involved in agriculture programs. They are also pursuing educational goals. These young people are future of agriculture in different, but important occupations that insure the overall success of a variety of agricultural goals for communities such as Frederick.
Post a Comment
