(Indiapolis, IN) — The National FFA Convention concluded last week with the awarding of the American Degree to more than 4,000 recipients. The American Degree is the highest honor bestowed on FFA members, and two of those recipients are members of the Le Mars Community FFA program. Jacob Holck
and Keaton Koerselman both crossed the stage and were honored. To qualify for the American Degree, you must first have won a State Degree, and also complete several Supervised Agriculture Experience. Jacob Holck says he focused on the history of the Le Mars FFA chapter when they celebrated their
75th anniversary.
For Koerselman, it was farming what started as a six-acre plot, and the restoration of tractors.
Le Mars Community FFA Members Jacob Holck (left) and Keaton Koerselman (right) earned the American Degree at the recent National FFA Convention.
Both Holck and Koerselman agree they devoted a lot of time and work into their projects in order to be awarded the American Degree, and they say they probably would not have achieved the honor if not for the support of their parents and FFA advisers. Both Koerselman and Holck have attended previous
national FFA conventions, but they say it is impressive each time they visit.
Both members have graduated from Le Mars Community and are now attending college. Holck is at Morningside College at Sioux City, and Koerselman is at Brookings, South Dakota, attending the South Dakota State University.
They speak of their future career plans.
Members of the Le Mars Community FFA Chapter join Holck and Koerselman at the National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pictured from left to right include: Jordan Berkenpas, Kaleb Koerselman, Braden Utesch, Jacob Holck, Keaton Koerselman, Kerstin Thoms, Jaiden Davidson, Camden Schroeder, Mia Haage, and Adviser Danille James.
Both Koerselman and Holck have been active with both FFA and with the 4-H organization. They say their participation in both organizations have helped them with their career goals, making new friends, and establishing important contacts.
The former Le Mars Community students say they have learned from speaking with company representatives the importance of listing their FFA experience on resumes.
Holck says he agrees with his fellow FFA member, and says the people he has met through FFA have become a big family.
With having been awarded the American Degree, both Koerselman and Holck have now completed their membership in FFA. Former Le Mars Community FFA advisor Brett Oetken, and current FFA advisor Danielle James joined Koerselman and Holck at the National FFA convention. During the course of the history of the Le Mars Community FFA program, a total of only 14 American Degrees have been awarded to Le Mars FFA. Our congratulations go to both Jacob Holck and Keaton Koerselman for obtaining an American Degree in FFA.
(photos courtesy of Kristin Koerselman)
