Santa Paula FFA members named to National Honor American FFA Degree
Santa Paula High School
Published: November 02, 2012
Each year, the National FFA Organization is proud to honor the 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. That honoar, the American FFA Degree, is bestowed up on a select group of individuals for years of academic and professional excellence.
Emily Hobson and Kimi Yamamoto represented the Santa Paula FFA Chapter from Santa Paula High School who were selected to join that exclusive list and were awarded the American FFA Degree at the 85th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Emily Hobson graduated in 2009 and Kimi Yamamoto graduated in 2010 from Santa Paula High School. Emily is a senior at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and will receive her degree in Animal Science in June 2013. Emily has applied to several Veterinary Schools and plans to pursue a career as a large animal veterinarian. Kimi is a junior at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and is pursuing a degree in Animal Science. Kimi is interested in veterinary medicine as well as agriculture education. “Emily’s and Kimi’s passion for agriculture and the FFA stem from their long standing involvement throughout their high school years as well as the time they continue to dedicate to the program. Approximately less than 1% of students in agriculture programs received their American Degree and they are part of an elite group of students throughout the United States. This is also very special because they are my first two American Degree recipients”, states Mr. Flores, Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor. “I am so proud of their accomplishments. They are positive role models in our community and to all students who wish to also pursue their personal and academic goals.”
The American FFA Degree is sponsored by Case IH, The Progressive Farmer, Farm Credit, Syngenta, and Pioneer, a DuPont Business, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. It 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 $7,500 through a supervised agricultural experience program in which they start, own or hold a professional position in an existing agriculture enterprise. Recipients must also complete 50 community service hours, as well as demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement.
Each recipient of the American FFA Degree collects a gold American FFA Degree Key plus a certificate after being on-stage during the convention. The convention is known as the largest student gathering in the United States and over 55,000 FFA members attended the National Convention.
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 540,379 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,489 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
