Jun 11, 2023

Highest honor earned by 21 NW Kansas FFA District members at state convention

Posted Jun 11, 2023 10:15 AM

Kansas FFA

MANHATTAN - A total of 21 members from the Northwest District were awarded their State FFA Degree during the 95th Kansas Future Farmers of America Convention, May 31-June 2, 2023, on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan.

The state degree is the highest honor the Kansas FFA Association can bestow upon its members.

In order to achieve this award, members must meet the following requirements: have received their Chapter FFA Degree, been an FFA member and agricultural education student for at least two years, earned at least $2,000, or worked 600 hours in their Supervised Agricultural Experience program, given a six-minute speech about agriculture or FFA, participated in eight different leadership activities, received a “C” average or better in high school and shown a record of outstanding leadership and community involvement.

The members who met these qualifications and their respective FFA chapters from the Northwest District are: Hays – Mackenzie Hagerman, Jalynn Weilert; Hill City – Gracie Billips, Ella Hart; Hoxie – Drew Bretz; Lakeside – Ross Hutson; Northern Valley – Austyn Cox, Kai Cox; Norton – Mackenzie Clydesdale, Wade David, Ellie Kats, Jenessa Anne Ruder; Oakley – Ryley Sharpe; Phillipsburg – Austin Dierking, Layton Johnson; Quinter – Brayden Polifka; Russell – Mileah Backhus, Gracie Karst; Smith Center – Ean Diane, Hayden Lehmann; St. Francis – Makaila Mattheis.

 Each state degree recipient receives a state degree charm — a symbol of the member’s growth and development — sponsored by Kansas Electric Cooperatives.