Mendota FFA Alumni & Supporters recognize American FFA Degree recipients

Two Mendota High School graduates recently earned the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, the American FFA Degree.

Elizabeth Schillinger (Class of 2022), daughter of Jeff and the late Cathy Schillinger, and Jack Beetz (Class of 2021), son of Brooke Beetz, attended the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, in October where they received their degrees.

The requirements to earn the American FFA Degree are set forth in the National FFA Constitution. To be eligible to receive the American FFA Degree, members 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.

Schillinger started her supervised agricultural experience growing pumpkins and other fall produce and after graduating from MHS she continued her education at Purdue University. During her time at Purdue, she maintained SAE records on summer internships with GRAINCO FA and Northern Partners.

Beetz’s supervised agricultural experience involved working for the family farming operation. He was the Illinois Association FFA candidate for American Star in Agricultural Placement. After graduating from MHS he attended Joliet Junior College before transferring to Iowa State University to pursue an agricultural degree.

The Mendota FFA Alumni and Supporters recognize the value of the hard work and dedication that is required to earn the American FFA Degree and has therefore created a $1,000 endowment awarded to any Mendota FFA member who earns an American FFA Degree.

In addition to funding endowments for State and American FFA Degree the Mendota FFA Alumni & Supporters have funded improvements to the MHS Greenhouse, Waldorf Agricultural Education Center, and the purchase of a new John Deere tractor with loader. They also support FFA members travel expenses to conference and conventions, as well as a grant to help students start and/or expand supervised agricultural experience projects/

Membership in the Mendota FFA Alumni & Supporters is open to anyone who wants to support agricultural education and FFA at Mendota High School. Tickets are available for the alumni’s annual Draw Down fundraiser to be held on Saturday, March 29, at the Mendota Elks Lodge. For more information about FFA or the FFA Alumni contact Matthew Meyer, agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor at Mendota High School.