Wells graduate among American Degree honorees

November 13, 2021

by Staff reports

Trailblazer Kaitlin Smith (shown center with her sister Caroline and mother Jill, right) is a 2019 Wells High School graduate who recently was awarded an FFA American Degree for her involvement with the local chapter. Courtesy photo

Wells High School graduate Kaitlin was among the numerous former FFA members across the nation honored with the organization’s American Degree award.

Smith, along with Caitlin Herman and Tyler Smith, were the school’s first-ever recipients of the award, given during the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo held Oct. 27-30 in Indianapolis.

According to the FFA website, the American FFA Degree is the highest degree achievable within the organization, showing “an FFA member's dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA association. ... American FFA Degree recipients show promise for the future and have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence.”

To be eligible, a member must meet qualifications such as receiving a State FFA Degree, holding active membership for the past three years, completing secondary instruction in an agricultural education program and operating an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program. Community service, leadership abilities and outstanding scholastic achievement are also required,” the site noted.

Other Cherokee County recipients recognized during the convention were Jeremiah Neal of Jacksonville, Drew Morton and Avery Kinney of Rusk.