Five former VISD FFA Students obtain the Golden Key from the National FFA. Logan Archer, Jenna Hoffmann, Tyler Root, Emileigh Singleton, and Caleb Smith traveled to Indianapolis on Nov. 1, to be presented with the highest honor that can bestowed upon an FFA Member. Less than 1% of FFA members each year go on to achieve this honor and these former students represent not only Vidor but Orange County! They are the future of Agriculture as each has begun their journey and commitment to the world of Agriculture and making our community proud!
Recipient Jenna Hoffmann summed up in her statement via her social media post that I believe speaks for all!
“Some may not understand the significance and it may just seem like another pointless certificate but to us, this is huge. We are proud to achieve the highest degree the National FFA Organization has to offer and we have worked tirelessly for days, weeks, months, and years to get this far. Thank you to our teachers, fellow FFA members, friends, and family for pushing us to be the best that we could possibly be in this beautiful organization. As we unzip our corduroy jackets and hang them up one final time we are filled with endless memories of love and fun. We will miss these times so greatly, but we are ever so grateful for the experiences in the blue and gold. We each hope that the FFA impacts others in the best way and that it pushes current and future students to strive for greatness as it has for us. Our one last time in the blue and gold.”
The American FFA Degree is awarded to members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs).
A student after entering agricultural education must have:
-Have received the State FFA Degree, have been an active member for the past three years (36 months) and have a record of satisfactory participation in the activities on the chapter and state level.
-Have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program, or have completed at least the equivalent of 360 hours of systematic secondary school instruction in agricultural education and one full year of enrollment in a postsecondary agricultural program, or have completed the program of agricultural education offered in the secondary school last attended.
-Have graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be granted.
-Have in operation and have maintained records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program, through which the member has exhibited comprehensive planning and managerial and financial expertise.
-A student after entering agricultural education must have: (a) Earned at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or (b) Earned and productively invested $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. Any combination of hours, times a factor of 3.56, plus actual dollars earned and productively invested must be equal to or greater than the number 10,000. Hours used for the purpose of producing earnings reported as productively invested income shall not be duplicated as hours of credit to meet the minimum requirements for the degree.
-Have a record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement and have achieved a high school scholastic record of “C” or better as certified by the principal or superintendent.
-Have participated in at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours.
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