Heritage FFA graduates receive national recognition

From left: Advisor Maggie Maratsos, Jared Brandt, Ashley Reilly, Amber Thompson, Jolene Anderson, advisor Jeremiah Perotti

Eight Heritage High School graduates were honored this weekend with FFA Degree awards by the Future Farmers of America during the annual FFA convention in Indianapolis.

Four of the eight local award winners traveled to Indianapolis to attend the convention and personally receive the recognition. Heritage High has a very active FFA organization that teaches students concepts of agriculture and farm animal care.

FFA Degree recipients are honored for their commitment to animal husbandry and agriculture displayed through their community hours spent and funds earned, said Joe Reilly, whose daughter Ashley was one of those who attended the convention. Each student raised $2,000 to make the trip.

The Heritage High graduates who received the award were Jolene Anderson, Jared Brandt, Christian Frahn, Jonathan Kirkpatrick, Leobardo Oropeza, Sean Randall, Amber Thompson and Ashley Reilly.