WEST LIBERTY, Iowa–A record 11 West Liberty High School students earned Iowa FFA Degrees. The highest state honor, Iowa FFA Degrees require students to study agriculture, participate in their FFA chapter, demonstrate leadership, complete work experiences, and volunteer. These 11 West Liberty seniors earned their FFA Degrees this school year:
- Brittney Harned: (Senior) – A dedicated chapter member, Harned designed the West Liberty FFA website. She also worked with Meyers Farms’ cattle operation and will go to Indian Hills Community College.
- Bryson Iske: A long time West Liberty FFA member, Iske competed in Farm Business Management. He worked for Fareway taking inventory of produce. Next fall, Iske will attend the University of Northern Iowa.
- Madison Law: Law’s outstanding work in the national FFA floriculture contest earned her a job in the Hy-Vee floral department. Next school year, law will go to the University of Iowa.
- Haylee Lehman: An active chapter member, Lehman served as an officer and attended many leadership events. She competed in ag issues and perceptions at the national level. Lehman worked with the cattle operation at Meyers Farm. Next school year, she intends to study at Drake University.
- Keaton Mather: Mather actively engaged in many local FFA activities and worked as a farmhand at Mather Farms. He will attend Muscatine Community College next fall.
- Kayla Maurer: Throughout her time with FFA, Maurer engaged in many leadership and community activities. Maurer worked for the swine operation at Danner Farms and will go to Kirkwood Community College.
- Austin McMichael: A West Liberty FFA member for the past two years, McMichael attended the 2019 FFA national competition and competed in Ag Issues and Perceptions. Austin worked for the West Liberty Country Club and assisted with turf management. After graduating, McMichael plans to attend Des Moines Area Community College.
- Alexis Partida: As an FFA member, Partida competed at nationals in ag issues and floriculture. She also helped raise goats at Meyers Farms. She will attend Cornell College.
- Morgan Peterson: A four time leadership state champion, Peterson also competed in creed speaking and ag issues. Peterson worked for Hy-Vee and will attend the University of Iowa.
- Jessica Stepanek: Locally, Stepanek engaged in many community service projects. Stepanek worked at Subway and will go to Kirkwood Community College.
- Taylor VanDusen: At FFA nationals, Van Dusen competed in floriculture and ag issues. She worked for JB’s Pub N’ Grub. She looks forward to attending Muscatine Community College.