The American FFA Degree is huge accomplishment.

It’s the highest honor that a student of Future Farmers of America can achieve – less than 1 percent of members have earned it, nationwide.

Belle Beglinger of the East Union High chapter did just that, joining other local FFA students (Alyssa Banks of Manteca High, and Jessica Kinlaw Gutierrez and Anna Page of Lathrop High) by earning the American FFA Degree at the 98th annual National FFA Convention and Expo held recently in Indianapolis, Ind.

Those at the Manteca Unified School District recognized her and the other American FFA Degree achievers, saying, “it takes years of dedication, leadership, real agricultural work, and community service.”

In order to be considered, students had to log at least 50 hours of community service, earn a minimum of $10,000 through their supervised agricultural projects, and demonstrate exceptional leadership and civic involvement.

EU Hall of Fame

Seven new members will be inducted into the East Union High Hall of Fame.

Honored at Jan. 9 special event (ceremony starts at 4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria followed by the inductions in the Dalben Center at about 6:45 p.m.) will be educator / counselor Steven Droullard, educator Marilyn Lagier, alum / student athlete Jessie Reynolds (Hardcastle), alum / student athlete JT Hardcastle, alum / student athlete Nick Nobriga, alum / student athlete Brooke Riley, and educator Michael Zugnoni.