DALTON -- Aly Holt, Leyton High School, was recently presented with the American FFA Degree.

"I have achieved many great accomplishments throughout my time in FFA. But perhaps the one I am most proud of is tonight as I wear my jacket for the last time as an active FFA Chapter member," Holt said. "I am honored to have received the American FFA Degree."

She said she will forever cherish the skills she has learned, and friends gained along the way and memories from FFA activities. 

"I was awarded the American FFA Degree at the 95th National FFA Convention in October of 2022 but did not receive it until May 5th 2023 at the Leyton FFA Banquet. I was very excited to receive this and had full intentions of going to Indiana (where the National Convention is held) this last fall," Holt said.

She said she was not able to attend the National Convention, however, because the previous FFA Advisor failed to notify her of her award until after the convention took place.

As the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, the American FFA Degree shows an FFA member’s dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA association. It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experience and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibited through their FFA career.

American FFA Degree recipients show promise for the future and have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence.

1. Have received the State FFA Degree, have been an active member for the past three years (36 months) and have a record of satisfactory participation in the activities on the chapter and state level.

2. Have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program, or have completed at least the equivalent of 360 hours of systematic secondary school instruction in agricultural education and one full year of enrollment in a postsecondary agricultural program, or have completed the program of agricultural education offered in the secondary school last attended.

3. Have graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be granted.

4. Have in operation and have maintained records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program, through which the member has exhibited comprehensive planning and managerial and financial expertise.

5. A student after entering agricultural education must have:
   a. Earn at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or
   b. Earned and productively invested $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. Any combination of hours, times a factor of 3.56, plus actual dollars earned and productively invested must be equal to or greater than the number 10,000. Hours used for the purpose of producing earnings reported as productively invested income shall not be duplicated as hours of credit to meet the minimum requirements for the degree.

6. Have a record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement and have achieved a high school scholastic record of “C” or better as certified by the principal or superintendent.

7. Have participated in at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours.