WRMJ News Director Jim Taylor spoke with Rockridge FFA adviser Al Hyett from Indianapolis this morning.
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 4,071 American Degrees will be awarded.
This year, three Rockridge HS graduates will be awarded the American FFA Degree at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo Oct. 25-28 in Indianapolis. The recipients are Ms. Tayler Johnson, daughter of Scott & Jamie Johnson of Taylor Ridge, Mr. Logan Crawford, son of Lauren & Mary Kay Crawford of Taylor Ridge, and Nathan Gorham, son of Bill & Tammy Gorham of Illinois City. All are 2016 graduates of Rockridge High School.
Johnson, Crawford, & Gorham follow only three other recipients of this prestigious FFA Degree from Rockridge High School: Blair Blaser in 1975, Tom DeClerck in 1980, and Lucas Crawford (Logan’s brother) in 2015.
The American Degrees will be awarded Saturday, October 28, 2017 in a ceremony beginning at 7:30 am. The program will be broadcast live across the country on RFD-TV. Check local listings for the channel on your cable or satellite provider.
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 start, own or hold a professional position in an existing agricultural enterprise. Recipients must also complete 50 hours community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement.
Each recipient of the American FFA Degree receives a gold American FFA Degree key, certificate and matted frame after being recognized on stage at the National Convention.