Seven students from the Enumclaw High FFA chapter received state degrees during the 90th annual Washington State FFA Convention.

The convention was a “virtual” event this year, in response to the ongoing pandemic. Traditionally, students from all corner of the state flock to the campus of Washington State University in Pullman for the big event.

A state degree is the highest form of recognition the state FFA association can award a member, said Kaitlin Norton, an adviser with the EHS chapter. To receive a state degree gold pin, she explained, a student must: have at least two years of membership in an FFA chapter; complete at least 360 hours of classroom instruction; earned and productively invested at least $1,000 or 300 hours of work in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project; completed at least 25 hours of community service; and demonstrated leadership qualities.

Enumclaw High students receiving their state degrees were Garrett McGann (Agriculture Education and Swine Entrepreneurship); Kayla Richardson (Swine Entrepreneurship); Bailey Boyce (Small Animal Production and Service Project: Guide Dogs); Anna Aronson (Swine Entrepreneurship); Michaela Schulz (Agriculture Education and Diversified Livestock Production); Ryleigh Hoffman (Agriculture Education and Beef Entrepreneurship); and Leah Perry (Small Animal Production and Service Project: Guide Dogs).

Three Enumclaw High students also placed at the state contest for their Proficiency Projects. The Agricultural Proficiency Awards recognize members for their development of specialized career skills through their SAE projects.

McGann received the state champion title for his Agriculture Education Proficiency, Schulz placed second in the state for her Beef Placement Proficiency and Katy King placed third in the state for her Small Animal Proficiency through her work with guide dogs.

Bailey Boyce, Ryleigh Hoffman, Katy King, and Garrett McGann. Submitted photos