FFA Scholarships Earned
by Jim Angell
January 02, 2008
We have all heard the phrase "I have a dream". Dreams are the things that make good things possible for all of us. Four years ago the dream of setting aside money to be Scholarships for FFA members began taking shape.
The Nebraska Products for the Holidays Fund Raiser was designed with much thought. One of the parts of the project was for students to be able to earn money that is reserved within the FFA account for each FFA member. Simply stated, it allows for fifty percent of the profit earned by each FFA member is reserved under their name in the FFA account. As the members graduate and continue their education they can simply turn in proof of their grades from the first semester and receive any money that was reserved in their name upon graduation from high school.
The dream became a little broader one year later when the FFA members decided to include the opportunity for FFA members to add more money as they earned credit for working for the FFA when we have the concession stand. The members earn money based on the amount of hours that they work.
Both of these methods are very fair to students as they more effort they put into the activities the better the income for them. This is a good way to earn and learn as we all know that if you don't work in real life you are not going to be very successful.
Kyle C. and Grant G. are the first two FFA members to benefit from this project. Both have given copies of their grades to Mr. Angell from the first semester of college. The total dollar amount being divided by the two based on their earnings is $576.95. It is important for everyone to realize that money from the student accounts can be used by the students while they are in school for FFA related items. Some of the money from these students has been used for their FFA dues, National Convention, State FFA Convention, registration fees, State Fair fees etc. The less they spend during their membership while in school the larger the scholarship upon graduation.
It seems very appropriate that Kyle was one of the first two to receive a scholarship since his father did put forth a lot of effort and time in helping organize the Nebraska Products Project. The first year the project had gross sales of around $2,300.00 and year four which just completed the gross sales was around $8,700.00. The FFA members and Mr. Angell again thank everyone for the help in making this all possible.
