Anna Page and Jessica Kinlaw Gutierrez were recipients of Future Farmers of America’s highest honor.

The two members of the Lathrop High FFA chapter were awarded American Degrees at the 98th annual National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, IN.

The event held Oct. 29 through Nov. 1 set a record with over 73,000 in attendance.

“This was a great accomplishment,” Lathrop FFA advisor Danelle Ariaz, praising the efforts of her two former students.

She added, “(They’re) part of a very small group to receive the highest degree – less than ½ of a ½ percent of FFA students receive their American degree.”

Ariaz noted that Page and Gutierrez are now among eight students to receive the American degree from the Lathrop High FFA 17-year history – only 39 students total from Manteca Unified, historically, have earned this highest honor.

Page currently attends the Young Adult program at the MUSD school farm while Gutierrez is at Modesto Junior College working on completing her Vet Tech certificate while working at Lathrop Veterinary.

“As the highest degree achievable in the National FFA organization, the American FFA Degree shows an FFA member’s dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA association,” Ariaz said.

Each student had to make at least $10,000, volunteer 50 hours of community service, and be in an agriculture program for at least three years.

Students can only receive the degree two to four years after graduating high school, said Ariaz.