Madison Kontz of Flandreau High School is one of 282 South Dakota FFA members who receive their State FFA Degree.
Kontz will be recognized at the state convention, which will be virtually broadcast at 7 p.m. today, May 13.
Kontz has been in FFA since seventh grade and has held leadership positions in her chapter, including being chosen as secretary her junior year and vice president as a senior. Her project was working on her family’s farm, helping in jobs such as driving combine and helping with the cow-calf operation.

She will attend Dakota Wesleyan this fall to study elementary and special education and to play volleyball.
FFA has helped her with many skills, including overcoming her fear of speaking in public, she said.
“It has taught me so many different leadership and developmental skills,” she said. “It really helped to just grow as a person.”
The State FFA Degree is the highest degree of membership from the state association. Requirements include having invested at least $1,000 or 300 hours in a supervised ag experience program; having demonstrated leadership through parliamentary law, speaking and serving as an officer; and having completed at least 25 hours of community service.