Four AECT students were recipients of the National FFA American Degree at the 92nd National Convention and Expo.

Zach Andrews, Braden Bateman, Dixie Miller, and Megan Morris applied for their American FFA Degrees in March, completing a challenging application process.

     The American FFA Degree is the highest degree honored to any member in the organization. In order to have received this degree, members must have previously received a State Degree, completed at least 540 hours of agricultural education courses, maintained a project valued above $10,000 dollars, and served a minimum of 50 service hours.

     Andrews is a sophomore at the University studying Agricultural Communications.

     “The American degree is the capstone to your FFA career. After years of hard work you get to wrap it up in a nice bow,” said Andrews. “It’s super cool to be a part of the small percentage of members that receive this award.”

     For Andrews, receiving the American FFA Degree also held another significance.

     “I am the third person in my family to receive it -- my mother received hers when she was a member, and my brother received his at the end of his time in the FFA,” said Andrews. “That made it really special to carry on that family tradition.”