Three South Central FFA Graduates Receive Top Honors at National FFA Convention

On October 22, 2011, Robert Gannett, Payton Oney and Justin Twary were honored at the 84^th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The American FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).  Approximately 3,500 American FFA Degrees are handed out each year and that  number represents less than half of one percent of all FFA members, making it one of the organization’s highest honors.  FFA members who qualify for the American FFA Degree have received a Greenhand FFA Degree, Chapter FFA Degree and State FFA Degree, completed at least three years (540 hours) of high school agriculture classes, or 2 years of high school agriculture classes and one year of college agriculture classes (360 hours.), maintained detailed SAE records, which demonstrate outstanding planning, managerial and financial skills, earned and productively invested at least $7,500, or have earned and productively invested at least $1,500 and worked 2,250 hours beyond scheduled school hours through their SAE’s and have a record of outstanding leadership skills.           
Robert Gannett, son of Norman and Kelly Gannett of North Fairfield, was awarded his American FFA Degree.  Gannett’s SAE was working on the family farm where he tended to animals, and assisted with crops.  Gannett was the District 2 State FFA President, the South Central FFA Chapter President, Vice President and Treasurer.  He participated in Career Development Events such as forestry, soils, parliamentary procedure, poultry and more. Throughout his time in FFA some of the activities he participated in Washington Leadership Conference, attended FFA Camp and participated in numerous South Central FFA Events.
Payton Oney, son of Jeffery and Sonia Oney of Greenwich was awarded his American FFA Degree.  Oney’s SAE was working on Milky Way Farms where he was a farmhand.  He also raised his own animals for herd improvement and exhibited at the Huron County Fair.  He participated in the forestry and dairy judging Career Development Events.  Oney was first in the district in the Dairy Placement Proficiency for three years.  Throughout his time in FFA he also participated in Community Service projects, State FFA Convention and numerous other South Central FFA Events.
Justin Twary, son of Dennis and Rhonda Twary of North Fairfield, was awarded his American FFA Degree.  Twary’s SAE was working with his family’s horses, planting and harvesting crops.  Twary also raised his own cattle for market.  He participated in Career Development Event such as soils, dairy judging, equine management, tractor trouble shooting and small engines.  Throughout his time in FFA some of the activities he  participated in Leadership Conferences, Huron County Fair and numerous other South Central FFA Events.

Reported By: Amy Gannett