Nine graduates of Kingfisher County high schools will be among those presented with American FFA Degrees in October.

Each year, the National FFA Organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The American FFA Degree is bestowed upon a select group of students in recognition of their years of academic and professional excellence.

There will be 3,863 American Degrees awarded this year, 160 to Oklahomans.

Those from local schools earning the honor include Keegan Hertensen of Cashion; Kaden Mitchell, Derik Fuksa, Elizabeth Pribil and Gage Zelnicek of Hennessey; Elizabeth Perdue, Victoria Gerken and Thomas Himes of Kingfisher; and Matthew Hansen of Lomega.

Hansen and Hertensen graduated from their respective high schools in 2019. The rest are graduates of the class of 2020.

The American FFA Degrees will be awarded during the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo set Oct. 27-30 in Indianapolis, Ind.

To be eligible, FFA members must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program in which they own their own business or hold a professional position as an employee.

Recipients must also complete 50 hours of community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement through completion of a long list of FFA and community activities.

Less than 1 percent of FFA members achieve the American FFA Degree.

Each recipient of the American FFA Degree receives a gold American FFA Degree key and certificate after being recognized at the national convention. This year’s convention will be held both in-person and virtually.