Copyright (c) 2010 New Albany News Exchangehttp://www.newalbanynews-exchange.com/section.asp?id=4Youthen-us9/10/2010 6:43:17 AM609/1/2010http://www.newalbanynews-exchange.com/article.asp?id=11205http://www.newalbanynews-exchange.com/article.asp?id=11205

High Point Award winners from the Youth Rodeo at the Union County Fair and Livestock Show 2010 were, from left, 5 - 7 age group winner - Gracie McDonald, 8 - 13 age group winner - Nora Cobb, 14 - 18 age group winner was a tie - Cooper Christensen and Palmer White.

]]>9/1/2010http://www.newalbanynews-exchange.com/article.asp?id=11178http://www.newalbanynews-exchange.com/article.asp?id=11178John Allen of Booneville is one of only 13 Mississippi students to receive the American FFA Degree, the highest award the National FFA Organization bestows upon a member.

Allen, the son of Dr. Johnny L. and Christy Allen of Booneville, will join all 2010 winners at the 83rd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., for the award presentation banquet Oct. 22 in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center. The convention dates are Oct. 20-23.

This final step in the FFA Degree system encourages students to grow, achieve, and establish themselves in an agricultural career. Attaining the American FFA Degree requires a solid commitment to agriculture and FFA. The American Degree is sponsored by Case IH, DTN, Farm Credit, Pioneer Hi-Bred and Syngenta.

To be eligible to receive an American Degree, students must be a high school graduate for at least 12 months prior to the convention at which the degree is awarded, have received the State FFA Degree and have been an active member for the past three years (36 months) with a record of satisfactory participation in the activities on the chapter and state levels.

Other qualifications include having satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program, or have completed the equivalent of at least two years of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program and completed one year of a post secondary education program in an agricultural major or have completed the program of agricultural education offered in the school last attended. All completed requirements should be supported by adequate documentation.

Allen is a 2009 graduate of Booneville High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society and served as an FFA chapter student adviser, vice-president and president. He was also elected Federation president and State Star in Agri-business.

A sophomore at Northeast Mississippi Community College studying agriculture education, Allen is a acoustic guitar player with the school’s country music performing ensemble, Campus Country. He plans to continue his degree pursuit at Mississippi State University.]]>9/1/2010http://www.newalbanynews-exchange.com/article.asp?id=11160http://www.newalbanynews-exchange.com/article.asp?id=11160
Applications can be picked up at all schools and the UCDA office in downtown New Albany. The entry fee is $20 per applicant. T-shirts maybe purchased for $12.

The pageant will begin on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 6:00.

For more information, contact Lee Ellen Nelson at 539 1474, Rebekah Wiseman at 316-0986 or e-mail leeellend@yahoo.com.]]>