4 Chattooga County FFA Members Earn American Degrees

Eight members of the Chattooga County FFA traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for the 88^th Annual National FFA Convention October 27-October 31. The theme for this year’s convention was Amplify and students were encouraged to amplify their voice about the importance of agriculture in today’s world.

 

Those representing Chattooga FFA were: Haley Barton, Bode Brooks,  Abby Hosmer, Tyler Hunt, Rose Jones, Melissa Maynard, Bailey Kellett and Julia Scruggs.

 

While in Louisville, the group attended convention sessions, the college and career fair and explored Louisville.

 

Brooks, who graduated from Chattooga High School in 2015, was a Silver Ranking Nationally for his state winning Agricultural Communications Proficiency. His work for his Supervised Agricultural Experience Project included work at AM 1180 in addition to his public speaking and agriculture awareness activities for the FFA Chapter.  David Yarbrough, Chattooga High School FFA Advisor said, “ Bode is a special young man that contains a lot of talents,  Bode is currently working on a communications degree at the University of West Georgia.”

 

Additionally, four former Chattooga High School students were recognized as they received their American FFA Degree during a session Saturday morning at Freedom Hall. The American Degree is the highest award an active FFA member can receive the number of members receiving their degree represents one half percent of all members of the organization.

 

Haley Barton, Bailey Kellett, Melissa Maynard all who graduated from Chattooga High School in 2013 and Julia Scruggs, 2014 Chattooga High School graduate were among the 77 members from Georgia recognized for this honor at the convention.

 

As FFA members at both the middle school and high school level, their involvement ranged from chapter officers, competing in career development events, showing livestock and involvement with community service activities.

 

In order to receive an American Degree, members must have received their state degree, been an active FFA member and agriculture education student for three years, graduated from high school, had a superior supervised agriculture experience project, demonstrated leadership skills and community service experience

 

David Yarbrough, Chattooga High School FFA Advisor said, “In our community where less than 10 people have obtained the honor of American degree status it is awesome to see 4 students earn it in the same year. These girls started their FFA careers when me and Mrs. Jarrett started our teaching career so that made it a little special for us. You know you have things working the way they need to in our department when you start seeing students get this degree, what an accomplishment girls!”
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education to more than 600,000 members throughout the nation.