By Dena Martin
The Times
Kimmie Hamann Earns Top FFA Award
Is one of six WHS grads to earn the FFA American Degree
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August 24, 2017
Times File Photo
Kimmie Hamann carries buckets during a field day that was part of a project for the "Nutrients for Life Foundations Helping Communities Grow" competition in 2014. Hamman was Waitsburg FFA Chapter vice-president and spearheaded the project which took first place and won $5,000 for the Waitsburg FFA Chapter.
WAITSBURG – Kimmie Hamann is one of a select few Waitsburg High School graduates to earn the American FFA Degree – the highest one degree in the organization.
"This is the highest degree one can earn in the National FFA Organization. In Washington State, there were only 38 members who qualified for the award, out of the more than 3,000 members," said Waitsburg FFA Advisor Nicole Abel.
The twenty-one-year-old earned her degree by raising sheep for her Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) and keeping records, from the time she was a freshman. She applied for the degree in February and will actually receive it during the National FFA Convention in October, according to Abel
Hamann's project entailed breeding and raising a flock of sheep that she sold to local 4-H and FFA members, as well as keeping a few each year for her own market project and to build up her flock.
"Kimmie invested in a long-term project and saw the value of keeping records from day one. She knew from the beginning that she had a quality project and set her sights on this degeree. It's great to see those kids with exceptional drive and passion be recognized." Abel said.
Only six WHS FFA members have earned the American Degree. It is notable that three of those were earned under the advisorship of Nicole Abel.
Waitsburg FFA American Degree Winners
2017 – Kimberly Hamann
2016 – Mikala DeRuwe
2013 – Christy Poirier
2000 – Amanda McKinley
1986 – Carrie Stonecipher
1976 – Robert McKinney
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