Scholarships presented to four FFA members

The annual FFA Advisor Tribute Scholarships have been awarded to four South Dakota FFA members. Emily Anderson, Centerville FFA; Kasey Schmidt, Milbank FFA; Keisha Grubb, Miller FFA; and Jennifer Emery, Wall FFA have earned scholarships to attend the South Dakota State FFA Leadership Retreat of their choice this summer.

The four students wrote essays about how their FFA advisors have made an impact on their lives. Each of these students thinks their advisor is one of the best there is, and is happy to say so!

·Anderson, a junior from Centerville, says “Mrs. Twedt helped me gain the confidence I needed to do many things. She has always been there for students and pushes them to be their best. She gets everyone involved in volunteer work around town too.”

·Schmidt, and incoming Senior says of her advisor ” I realized Mr. Janisch was the one I could go to if I had any problems including school, FFA, or any part of life. I am very appreciative of his dedication, leadership and commitment to the growth of the members.”

·Grubb, a junior in Miller states, “Mr. Kettelhut trusts us with responsibilities we will have as we grow older and join the real world. He always makes sure we know what our responsibilities are, that we will have to do many things by ourselves, and take the blame for our actions. He pushes us to try our best and gives us the confidence to achieve many things.”

·Emery, a junior from Wall, says “I was a shy freshman. Ms. Herring’s goal was to get me to talk. She took to Leadership Retreat which put me out of my comfort zone. She did something most people wouldn’t – made me talk to people I didn’t know and wasn’t comfortable with. Because she pushed me, I grew and met my best friend.”

These scholarships are made possible by the South Dakota FFA Foundation in memory of two past FFA advisors: Leonard DeBoer and Walt Johnson. Both men led by example and their advice was truly ripened with wisdom. DeBoer spent his life teaching young people about agriculture and the leadership skills that would make them successful in their career choice. He was the FFA advisor in Chamberlain for almost 40 years where he lived FFA’s mission by making a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Johnson served as the SD FFA Foundation President, as well as on the SD FFA Foundation board, in Newell as an ag teacher, community supporter and coach for FFA career development events. He was devoted to agriculture education and earned his Honorary American FFA Degree in 2007.

For more information about the South Dakota FFA Foundation and South Dakota’s FFA programs, visit http://www.sdffafoundation.org.