FFA members awarded National American FFA Degree

Each year, the National FFA organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The American FFA Degree is bestowed upon a select group of students in recognition of their years of academic and professional excellence. This year 4,136 American degrees were awarded.

Victoria Darling, Juan Espinoza, Dustin Giuntoli, Octavio Gonzalez, John Hill III, Jasmine Ortiz, Aneth Ramirez and Michael Vander Poel, members of the Shafter FFA chapter and graduates of Shafter High School, will be awarded the American FFA Degree at the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo Oct. 27-29, to be held virtually.

Sponsored by Case IH, Elanco Animal Health and Syngenta, the award recognizes demonstrated ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs.

To be eligible, FFA members must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience program in which they own their own business or hold a professional position as an employee. Recipients must also complete 50 hours of community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement through completion of a long list of FFA and community activities. Fewer than 1 percent of FFA members achieve the American FFA Degree. Each recipient of the degree receives a gold American FFA Degree key and certificate after being recognized at the national convention.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.