Hannah Sheldon awarded American FFA Degree

ODESSA – Odessa High School 2018 graduate Hannah Sheldon, daughter of Don and Mo Sheldon, formerly of Odessa, has been awarded the American FFA Degree by the National FFA Organization based in Indianapolis, Ind.

Only about 1% of FFA members receive this award each year. Hannah was recognized for this achievement at the National FFA Convention and Expo, a virtual event that took place Oct. 27-29.

According to the FFA website, "As the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, the American FFA Degree shows an FFA member's dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA association. It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experience and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibited through their FFA career."

Students proceed through FFA by earning degrees. They first earn their Chapter Degree by joining and participating in FFA during high school. After that they can apply to receive a State Degree. To earn the American FFA Degree, members must meet qualifications such as receiving a State FFA Degree, holding active FFA membership for the past three years, completing secondary instruction in an agricultural education program and operating an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program. In addition, the degree requires demonstration of community service, leadership abilities and outstanding scholastic achievement.

Applications are submitted to the National FFA Organization after approval by a member's state association. Members of the National staff review the applications, and the National FFA Board of Directors then approve the qualified candidates to receive the American FFA Degree at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

Hannah is on track to graduate from Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont. in the May 2021. She has student teaching scheduled from January through April, followed by her May 1, 2021 commencement.