Yuma High FFA wins high rankings

The Yuma High School FFA Chapter has earned a Silver Ranking in the National Chapter Career Development Event and been recognized as a Superior Chapter in the state of Arizona.

“I am very proud of all the members because this is a chapter recognition, not just an individual member,” said Leigh Loughead, YHS agriculture science teacher and FFA adviser. “It takes the entire chapter.”

Eight YHS FFA members were recognized during their recent attendance of the 2011 State FFA Leadership Conference at the University of Arizona in Tucson: Eadi Aleman, Alexis Cypert, Alexandria Eatherly, Kelsie Grimsley, Audrey House, Michaela Land, Sarah Land and Anna Miller.

During the conference, the FFA members participated in meetings to conduct the state business of the FFA and attended leadership workshops.

Sarah Land received a $500 scholarship from Handwerker-Winburne and a $1,000 scholarship from the Williams Family. Jonathan Bailey also received a $500 scholarship from Handwerker-Winburne. Both graduated from YHS in May and will be attending Arizona Western College this fall.

“Those scholarships are based on their involvement in FFA,” Loughead said, “... on their supervised agriculture experience project, their grade-point average and their community involvement.”

In addition, Aleman and Eatherly have received the State FFA Degree, the highest that can be awarded by a state association to an FFA member.

“They met the requirements in order to receive the state FFA degree, and not everybody gets it who applies for it,” Loughead explained.

During the conference Eatherly competed in the Extemporaneous Speaking Career Development Event, where she placed in the top four in the state. Eatherly has also been elected to serve as the 2010–2011 Yuma District FFA treasurer.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.