Local Students Received National Degree

By Tasha Hueller

November 19, 2004

On Saturday, October 30, 2004, Lesa Cole, Casey Gibbs, Preston Hoffman, Brandi Roberson, and Ryan Trosper, recently received the American FFA Degree at the 77^th National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The American degree is awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing, and service programs.

Less than one in 165 FFA members advance through their local chapter and state FFA degree programs to earn this national degree. Lesa Cole, the daughter of Rod and Pam Cole, is a recently retired parliamentarian. Casey Gibbs, son of Delton and Marlynn, is currently a former member. Brandi Roberson, daughter of Chad and Shawn Roberson, and is a recently retired reporter. Preston Hoffman, son of Tom and Lana Hoffman, is a previous president. Finally Ryan Trosper, son of Bill and Linda Trosper, is a retired vice president. All degree recipients are part of the Eads FFA chapter, advised by Lance Jagers.

Lesa, Casey, Preston, Brandi, and Ryan received a gold American FFA Degree key and certificate to commemorate the achievement. The recognition program was sponsored by BASF, Case IH, Farm Credit System and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. All of the Eads FFA chapter would like to congratulate all of these members on their hard work and success in earning this award in FFA.