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Rewarded to the highest degree
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Photo supplied Matt Schenk, Jim Reilly and Pat Zweifel Jr. display their American Degrees after earning them on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Not pictured is American Degree winner Marie Mahaney.
INDIANAPOLIS - Marie Mahaney, Jim Reilly, Matt Schenk and Pat Zweifel Jr. each received an American Degree on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. The American Degree is the highest awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes demonstrated leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing and service programs. To be eligible, members must have earned and productively invested $7,500 through a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program.

Fewer than 1 in 154 FFA members advance through their local chapter and state FFA degree programs to earn this national degree.

Marie Mahaney, daughter of the late Steve, and Marina Mahaney, is attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Jim Reilly is the son of William and Linda Reilly and is attending Blackhawk Technical College. Matt Schenk is the son of Dave and Deb Schenk and is attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Pat Zweifel Jr. is the son of Patrick and Amy Zweifel. They are members of the Brodhead FFA Chapter and their agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor is Jillian Beaty.

Marie, Jim, Matt and Pat received a gold American Degree key and certificate in a blue leatherette frame to commemorate the achievement. The recognition program is sponsored by Case IH, Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Company, and Syngenta, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The National FFA Convention is the nation's largest annual youth gathering, welcoming students, parents and educators from across the United States.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 507,763 student members - all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture - as part of 7,439 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.