Legal Assistant Major Distinguishes Herself With National Honor

A sophomore in Pennsylvania College of Technology's legal assistant/paralegal studies bachelor-degree major has been chosen asa 2007 American FFA Degree recipient representing Pennsylvania. Jessica M. Kessler, of Beavertown, received the prestigious award from the National FFA Organization, which originally called the Future Farmers of America has broadened its membership to individuals outside the agricultural vocation.

The National FFA Organization's mission is to make a positive influence on students through education in specific areas of agriculture, which increases their potential for leadership, reveals personal confidence and establishes career success.

The organization provided Kessler with a free trip to Indianapolis from Oct. 24-27 to attend the National FFA Convention. There, she was presented with a commemorative plaque and an American FFA Degree pin to attach to her FFA official dress.

From a total of 490,017 FFA members across the country, Kessler was one of 55 in Pennsylvania to receive the American FFA degree, according to the organization's Web site. The American FFA Degree is the highest level that can be achieved by an FFA member, a final step in a system that encourages students to grow and establish themselves in their specific careers.

The following qualifications all were met by Kessler in achieving the degree:

• Received the State FFA Degree
• An active member for the past three years, with a record of satisfactory participation in chapter and state activities
• Completed the equivalent of at least three years of secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program, or had completed the program of agricultural education offered in the secondary school last attended or two years of secondary agriculture education and one year of a postsecondary agriculture program at a technical school or university
• Graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention at which the degree was granted
• Had in operation an outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience program, which demonstrated comprehensive planning, managerial and financial expertise
• Earned and productively invested at least $7,500, or earned and productively invested at least $1,500 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time
• Had a record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement, and achieved a high school scholastic record of "C" or better
• Conducted herself in a manner to be a credit to the organization, chapter, school and community, as certified by the chapter president, chapter adviser, superintendent or principal and state adviser