American Degree

Augustine awarded American FFA Degree

Written by:
Samantha Augustine
sophomore
agricultural communication

I joined FFA my freshman year of high school, just like all members of my family had. I was a 3rd generation FFA member following in my great grandfather, dad’s, and my older sister’s footsteps. I never expected this organization to have the impact on me that it did and now as I earn my American FFA Degree and hang up my FFA jacket for the last time I look back on this organization and think about how blessed I am.

This organization allowed me to discover my passion and voice for advocating for the beef industry. Through FFA, I was able to find my dream school, “GO BUCKS,” make friends from all over, including my best friend, who later turned into my roommate, and made amazing memories along the way.

My great grandfather was the first person from the Loudonville FFA chapter to earn his Ohio State FFA Degree, and as his grand-daughter, I am honored to be the first in my family to earn their American FFA Degree. Earning this degree showcases everything this organization was able to teach me and everything I can accomplish. I am honored to earn this degree, and there isn’t a bone in my body that isn’t excited to get my hands on that golden key.

We join FFA because we care about agriculture in some way, shape, or form, but we stay because of the deep passion we discover inside ourselves along the way. All I have to say is thank you, FFA, for the memories, friends, and lessons learned and one last thing…GO BUCKS!

 

 

 

 

Mabry awarded American FFA Degree

Written by:
Jasmine Mabry 
sophomore

agricultural education

My involvement in the FFA can be described as nothing less than incredible. The experiences I’ve had, skills I have gained, and memories I’ve made are irreplaceable.

FFA is what lead me to pursue a degree in agriscience education. Being able to lead students into becoming the best, most successful versions of themselves is my aspiration. Although my time in the blue corduroy is over, I know there will be so many new and incredible experiences to come as an agricultural educator.

When I look back on my time in the FFA, the most memorable things are receiving my State FFA Degree, receiving a gold-rated Secretary book twice, camping for my senior officer retreat, the many conventions, competing in public speaking, all of the time spent on trips (regardless of location), and receiving my American FFA Degree.

I got my inspiration to achieve the honor of receiving my American Degree from my FFA Advisor. Miss Sarhra Flinn was very persistent in helping me to achieve my dreams. She works diligently to ensure the success of her students, and I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without her pushing me and showing me that I can achieve many things if I put the work in.

Receiving my American Degree is a dream I’ve had since my freshman year of high school. Walking across the stage at the National FFA Convention and Expo meant so much to me because it was the last “hoorah” to close out the past five years of hard work, determination, memories, and experiences.

 


Caudill awarded American FFA Degree

Written by:
Mallary Caudill 
sophomore
agricultural communication

Receiving my American FFA Degree will mark the end of my time as a member of FFA. My FFA experience can be summed up in the word fundamental.

Since my freshman year of high school, I was able to find and build upon a foundation that has carried me into college and will continue to help me as I begin my professional career.

I am a 3rd generation FFA member and will be the first in my family to receive the American FFA Degree. This award is a testament to the foundation and investment my parents and grandparents have poured into me in helping me reach achievements, such as this, and I am so excited to share this moment with them. It is an honor to represent my family, and my chapter, and my state with over 450 recipients from Ohio!

Elliott awarded American FFA Degree

Written by:
Alexis Elliott
sophomore
agricultural communication

FFA is an organization that allowed me to explore the world around me through engaging and thought-provoking service learning projects. FFA furthered my passion for agriculture while helping me identify a need for effective communication within the agricultural sector.

FFA and the Career Development Events within FFA helped me choose my future career path as an agricultural communicator.

Crossing the stage at Lucas Oil Stadium to receive my American FFA Degree is the final act I will do while wearing my blue jacket. The degree represents the years I spent working hard raising my animals and working on my family’s farm. I am proud to be able to honor my family, who helped me with my projects by receiving this degree.

As I transition from wearing my blue corduroy jacket to becoming a member of the FFA Alumni Association, I look forward to making future FFA members’ time in FFA one they will remember for the rest of their life.


Evans Awarded American Degree

Haley Evans
junior
agriscience education

 

Haley Evans, a junior studying agriscience education was awarded her American FFA Degree at the 91st National FFA Convention. Here is what she had to say:

 

“Receiving my American Degree means closing a 6 year chapter of my life. Throughout these 6 years I had many SAE projects including market goats, dairy beef feeder calfs, and multiple job placements. I also gained leadership experiences, life long friendships, participated in many CDE’s, and made many memories that I am thankful for. What I am most thankful for throughout my time in FFA is that it lead me to choose my career path as a future Agricultural Educator.”

Evans with her American Degree.

Buchenroth Awarded American Degree

Kolt Buchenroth
sophomore
agricultural communication

Thanks to the support of my family, friends, Kenton City Schools, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, my advisor Mrs. Shalie Logan, and great members of the Hardin County community, I am extremely thankful to have received my American FFA Degree at the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in Agricultural Education courses in high school, and become a member of the FFA. The organization has not only opened a number of doors for me, but has also provided me with skills and knowledge that can’t be learned anywhere else.

Kolt (pictured with American Degree) and his family.

Kaitlyn Evans awarded American Degree

Kaitlyn Evans
junior
agriscience education

Evans received her American Degree at the 91st National FFA Convention.

My FFA Experience was with the Shelby FFA. Throughout FFA, I was involved as the chapter Treasurer for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school year, and I attended Ohio Leadership Camp for three years. I participated in multiple Career Development Events including parliamentary procedure, nature interpretation, soil judging, and more.  I had multiple Supervised Agricultural Experience projects in the areas of animal systems, communications, and food processing systems.

Receiving my American Degree means that everything I have done in FFA for the last six years has been recognized. My American Degree means that I have worked hard over the last six years and am in the top 1% of all FFA members. It especially means a lot to me as an Agriscience Education major that wants to teach high school agriculture one day. Receiving my degree ended my FFA membership with the highest honor and started a new chapter in my life as an alumni. I am excited to begin this new journey and be a role model for future FFA members to achieve their American Degree.

Eggleton awarded American Degree

Makayla Eggleton
sophomore
agriscience education

Eggleton with her advisor.

Our days are numbered- to conquer our fears, make an impact, and influence others in our blue corduroy jackets . 4 years in the classroom; 1,460 days that we as FFA members get to zip up our corduroy jackets, to break the boundaries of our comfort zones, and to better ourselves as leaders. As I reflect on my time in the Miami Trace FFA Chapter, I recognize all the opportunities I was given and I realized all the opportunities I did not take advantage of. I recognize my participation in several CDEs- 2 at a national level, the lives impacted through community service and interaction, and my leadership positions of community development officer and president. I realize the classes, CDEs, and opportunities I missed out on to diversify myself because of fear of failure.

Zipping up the jacket one last time embodied the achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists. The unity and tradition instilled within the organization and agriculture are not finalized. I now get to serve those — community members, progressive agriculturists, supporters, family members, friends, and agricultural educators— who made my involvement in FFA worthwhile. Additionally, I get to serve the next generations of agriculturists as they embark on their journey within the FFA in their jackets. As a preservice agricultural educator, I already find the joys and reward in aiding members in finding their passions. It takes just one — individual, community service activity, conference, convention, career development event, action, voice, etc. — to make an impact. Be the one.

Eggleton with other recipients.

Schaffter awarded American Degree

Paige Schaffter
sophomore
agriscience education

Schaffter with her American Degree

Simply put, my FFA experience has been incredible. The people I’ve met, the skills I have gained, and the fun that I’ve had are unlike any that another organization can provide students with. I had so much fun and wonderful experiences in FFA that I am a little sad to finally hang up my jacket, but I am excited to see what opportunities the FFA Alumni Association can provide me with, and what I can do for current members as an alum. Earning my American Degree really proves to me that I can accomplish anything that I set my mind to, and it is a huge honor to be proud of considering only 1% of FFA members receive the degree. It also makes me proud to be an Ohioan because we had the second most recipients compared to all other states. Additionally, the recipients of American Degrees at the 91st National Convention set a record for the most degrees awarded, so that is another thing to be proud of!

Schaffter with her family

Schaffter with her advisor

 

Schaffter with other American Degree Recipients