The Tyrone Area High School FFA chapter was recognized as a national two star chapter at the 2015 Chapter Award Program at the National FFA Conference  in Louisville, Kentucky on October 28.

“This award is based on the students efforts,” said Ag teacher Mrs. Tiffany Hoy, “and the work they complete through their Program of Activities (POA) committees and activities they conduct. I’m honored to serve as their FFA advisor and to work with such talented agricultural education students.”

The Tyrone Chapter ranked 5th in the state and received a gold ranking from the State FFA Organization. Only 15 chapters from Pennsylvania can be sent to Nationals.

“It makes me proud,” said FFA Treasurer Katrina Hagenbuch, “it shows that if we set our minds to it we can do it, it just takes hard work.”

The program recognizes FFA chapters nationwide that successfully complete a set of required activities that encourage members to grow as individuals, work as a team and serve others in their community. The last time the Tyrone Chapter received this recognition was in 1995 and the requirements have changed a lot since then.  Meeting the requirements mostly came through committee work run by the Ag education students.

“All our fundraising work like the fruit sale, jerky sale, and all of our community outreach events and committees really helped our chances of getting this award,” said FFA President Brandon Decker,”our Chapter is basically a set of stairs and this is only the first step, we’re going to keep climbing from here.”

“It really shows how our chapter is improving,” said FFA Vice President Baylee DelBaggio.

All star FFA chapters receive honors made possible by corporate sponsor John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

“Feeding some 9 billion people by mid-century brings with it unprecedented challenges for today’s farmers,” said Amy Allen, manager, national corporate contributions for John Deere, “the skills and experiences learned though the National Chapter Awards programs will help meet the critical needs.”

“It shows that we’re doing our duties as an officer team to receive recognitions like this,” said Decker.

A complete list of the Pennsylvania chapter winners is as follows:

• Bald Eagle Area FFA – One Star
• Central Columbia High School FFA -Two Stars
• Cumberland Valley High School FFA -Three Stars
• Danville FFA – Two Stars
• Garden Spot High School FFA – Two Stars
• Grand Canyon FFA – Two Stars
• Greenwood High School FFA – Two Stars
• Juniata FFA Chapter – Two Stars
• Meyersdale High School FFA – Two Stars
• Midd-West – Three Stars
• Northern Lebanon High School FFA – One Star
• Penn Manor High School Manor FFA – Two Stars
• Tyrone Area High School FFA – Two Stars
• West Perry High School FFA – One Star