A record number 43 second-year Lucerne Valley FFA members were awarded 2017-18 Chapter Degrees Thursday, Feb. 15, at Lucerne Valley High School.
The degrees were awarded after the FFA members spent several weeks giving presentations and teaching classes about their hobbies or interests.
“This has been a wonderful opportunity for students to share something unique about themselves and for others to try new and exciting things,” said Danielle Hickman, an agriculture instructor and assistant FFA advisor at Lucerne Valley High School.
The awardees who received their degrees were greeted by Lucerne Valley FFA President Diego Orozco and other officers — Vice President Hollie Lopez, Secretary Sydnee Fox, Treasurer Marlen Cortez, Reporter Katelyn Miller and Sentinel Matthew Redding. Danielle Hickman also participated in the ceremony, and longtime LV FFA advisor Mr. Troy Van Bavel gave closing comments.
“This is a benchmark,” said Mr. Van Bavel. “This is something you can add to your resumes.”
The Chapter FFA Degree is given to the chapter’s top members who must meet requirements listed in the Official FFA Manual. Other chapter level degrees are the Greenhand and Discovery FFA Degrees. The State FFA Degree is earned by the very top members who meet requirements outlined in the manual.
The 2017-18 Chapter Degree recipients: Esmeralda Alcazar, Brenda Almonte, Kevin Alvarez, Isaac Cedeno, Alejandra Cortez, Brandon DeLeon, Brody Evans, Martin Fowler, Curtis Freeman, Aiden Helquist, Isaiah Hernandez, Jack Hernandez, Jamar Jones, Tory Lopez, Brendadette Lopez-Paiz, Saul Macias, Sebastian Medel, Korrina Medina, Audie Mikalauskis, Katelyn Miller, Dylan Miller, Breanna Mills, J.T. Mills, Jessica Morales, Logan Nefferdorf, Akira Ogawa, Kaylie Parra, Oscar Perez, Matthew Redding, Melody Ruiz, Raven Sailiata, Diego Salas, Michael Salbino, Kennedy Silva, Noah Smith, Dayana Valenzuela, Emmanuel Velador, Andres Velazquez, Devin Wakeley, Tyze Walker, Isaiah Washington, Terijon Wilkerson and Walter Williams.
The degree recipients were treated to cupcakes following the event.
Lucerne Valley FFA is one of nearly 8,000 local chapters that will celebrate National FFA Week from Feb. 17-24.