Mount Vernon
FFA
Celebrating National FFA Week Feb. 16-23
Mt. Vernon FFAers achieve highest honor Three Mt. Vernon alums earn top degree in organization By Jason Haymes Mt. Vernon FFA was fortunate to have three members selected to receive the American FFA Degree Oct. 27, 2012, at the National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seth Haymes, Forrest Thompson and Paige Wallace were among the 3,245 members from across the country to receive the degree. The American FFA Degree is the highest degree granted by the National FFA Organization, and is considered the capstone of a successful FFA member. There were 540,379 FFA members in 2012 and the American Degree was awarded to one in 166. FFA members advance through the degree program starting with the Greenhand Degree and Chapter Degree awarded at the chapter level. A smaller number will receive the State FFA Degree awarded by the State FFA Organization; members must meet the minimum requirement for the degree at each progressive level. Achieving the goal of the American FFA Degree requires years of hard work and commitment. Wal-
lace and Thompson were 2010 graduates of Mt. Vernon High School and Haymes graduated in 2011. Each member had to complete a lengthy application that was evaluated by the State FFA Organization and carefully screened and approved by the FFA Board of National FFA officers and directors. Thompson, Wallace and Haymes Submitted photos were recipients of the State FFA Degree while in high school; each Above left, at the 2012 National FFA Convention, National FFA President Ryan Best presents of them had beef cattle as the pri- Seth Haymes, Mt. Vernon, with his American FFA Degree. Above right, Mt. Vernon FFA advisor mary enterprise of their Super- Jason Haymes is presented an Honorary American FFA Degree. vised Agricultural Experience Proby the FFA at the National FFA Convention. He received gram (SAEP). A snapshot of the minimum requirements for the the Honorary American FFA Degree at a ceremony Oct. 26, American Degree include $7500 earned and pro- 2013. Haymes was one of 185 national recipients of the ductively invested in their SAEP, perform communi- award. He has been an FFA advisor for 25 years, the last ty service, have demonstrated leadership skills and 21 at Mt. Vernon. The Honorary Degree is presented to individuals who have made major contributions to advance involvement in community activities. FFA Advisor Jason Haymes was also recognized agriculture and agricultural education.
A publication of the Mount Vernon High School FFA Chapter produced in cooperation with the Lawrence County Record, Mt. Vernon, Missouri Feb. 13, 2013