7 WACO Seniors Accepted for Iowa Degree Recipients

This spring, the WACO FFA chapter proudly celebrated seven dedicated members who earned the Iowa FFA Degree, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Iowa FFA Association. Congratulations to Morgan Meyer, Nick West, Emily Rinner, Kyler Rugg, Morgan Leichty, Raefe Davison, and Rochelle DeLaCruz for reaching this milestone! The Iowa Degree recognizes members who have shown exceptional commitment to agricultural education, leadership, and community service, and fewer than 5 % of FFA members in the state achieve this distinction each year.

To qualify for the Iowa FFA Degree, members must first have earned their Chapter FFA Degree and then successfully complete a rigorous set of additional requirements. Candidates must have been active in FFA for at least 24 months, complete at least two years (360+ hours) of agricultural education instruction that includes a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), and demonstrate leadership and involvement in FFA activities beyond the local chapter. They also must have a strong scholastic record, contribute meaningful community service hours, and show measurable growth through their SAE, which might include earning and productively investing a combination of dollars and/or hours in their agriculture projects.

Earning the Iowa FFA Degree isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about growing as a leader, serving others, and applying agricultural skills in real‑world settings. WACO’s newest degree holders have exemplified these qualities throughout their FFA journeys, and their hard work and perseverance have set a strong example for underclassmen and future agricultural leaders in our community. We’re incredibly proud of each of these members and look forward to the impact they’ll continue to make in and beyond FFA!