Jay Norden recognized

GENESEO — Jay Norden of Walnut was selected as the District FFA Proficiency Winner in Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance.

Norden is a member of the Bureau Valley FFA chapter of the Illinois Association FFA. Illinois FFA recognizes students in 52 different areas based on their work-based learning, also known as Supervised Agriculture Experiences or SAE.

FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through record keeping, leadership, and scholastic achievement may be considered for this award. SAEs allow students to learn by doing by either owning and operating an agricultural business, working or serving an internship at an agriculture-based business or conducting an agriculture-based scientific experiment and reporting results.

Norden was selected as the District 1 winner by a committee of agriculture industry representatives and teachers knowledgeable in this work-based area. He is the son of Bill and Karla Norden of Walnut.

Norden competed at the State Proficiency contest on April 2 at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He did not win his proficiency area, however, he represented the Bureau Valley FFA very well.

Norden has been involved in the following other agriculture education and FFA activities: Agricultural Mechanics CDE, Livestock Judging, Agriculture Business Management, Tractor Restoration, and Forestry. Willard Mott is the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Bureau Valley High School.

Norden will receive plaques for his accomplishments. These plaques are made possible by gifts by individuals, businesses, corporations and organizations through the Illinois Foundation FFA.