LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014/87th National FFA Convention & Expo) The Oakleaf FFA Chapter in Florida was named Model of Innovation winner in student development at the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Ky.
The nation’s top 10 three-star chapters in the student development division competed for the award. Oakleaf FFA received a plaque in an onstage ceremony during the second general session on Thursday, Oct. 30. Top chapters were also selected from the middle school, student and community development divisions.
Oakleaf High School offers a Plant Biotechnology Academy, and the FFA chapter wanted to recognize FFA members who made the grades to be part of the academy. Since biotechnologists wear lab coats in the industry, it was decided to have a Lab Coating ceremony for those second-year FFA members in the academy. The high school principal “coated” those members.
The Models of Innovation awards are sponsored by John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. It is one of the many ways FFA members accomplish the FFA mission and succeed in making a difference in their communities and the lives of others.
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www.FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.
