Earning Gold Standard Status with the FFA
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On October 30 in Indianapolis, Alyssa Gruszie received her American FFA Degree, representing the third generation in her family to do so. She is pictured with her mother, Trisha Gruszie, and her grandfather, Henry Gordon.
At the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, Alyssa Gruszie accepted her American Degree in a ceremony on October 30. Her accomplishment represents a hat trick as she represents the third generation in her family to obtain 'gold standard' status with the FFA.
Alyssa's grandfather, Henry Gordon earned his American FFA Degree in 1970, and his daughter Trisha (Gordon) Gruszie received hers in 1997. The American FFA Degree is considered the gold standard since it is the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. Acquiring an American FFA Degree shows an FFA member's dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA association. It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experience (SAE) and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibit through their FFA careers.
While making progress to achieve the American FFA Degree, Gruszie was required to meet several qualifications, such as securing a State FFA Degree, holding active FFA membership for at least three years, completing secondary instruction in an agricultural education program, and operating an outstanding SAE program.
Gruszie began her FFA membership in 2014 and secured her State Degree in 2020. For the duration of her membership, Gruszie's Animal Systems SAE was conducted with Gordon Cattle Company. She describes her role as helping her mother and grandfather on the family ranch. "I help feed cows, fence, harvest, work on equipment, and move cows. These are paid hours to offset expenses with my fair steer and with my hog business." In 2019, she added an Agribusiness Systems SAE and worked at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home to fulfill it.
Gruszie continues to perform in both capacities today and is currently a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at the Sweet Home. Her future plan is to be the fifth generation to operate Gordon Cattle Company. "Many of the skills I have developed over the past six years are a main part of both of my jobs," she stated.
Her extensive and thorough records, as well as her 140 hours of service to the Chinook community, qualified her for the American FFA Degree.
Gruszie credits the FFA for some key skills developed through the years: public speaking, financial planning, record keeping, time management, goal setting, and animal husbandry. She honed all of these while wearing the blue corduroy jacket trimmed in gold.
On the journey to earning her American Degree, Gruszie shared a memorable moment: "I have made thousands of memories from the 3:00 a.m. bus rides to competitions and to late night dances. My most memorable moment would have to be attending the 2019 National Convention. While we were there, we crashed the Ohio State dance. Little did we know, we weren't the only Montana Chapter of the FFA there. I met many lifelong friends."
On the subject of her daughter's degree completion, Trisha Gordon stated: "Getting one's Greenhand, Chapter, and State Degrees are all great accomplishments, but the accomplishment of the American Degree is a true honor. To obtain this goal, your SAE doesn't end with high school; a person must put forth the extra effort to continue the paperwork and projects to finally earn the degree without the advisor or classroom time helping you along. Earning my American Degree set me on a path of setting and achieving goals. I carry these skills with me today and try to teach my children to be goal orientated as well."
Having her mother as a role model has obviously influenced the younger Gruszie, who is a third generation degree holder in her family. To celebrate this meritorious accolade, years ago Henry Gordon purchased a plaque for Chinook High School that bears a gold plate imprinted with the name of each American Degree recipient. "To earn an American Degree is a huge achievement," Gordon said. "I applied three times before I finally earned my degree!"
Now, keeping American Degree attainment in the family, his granddaughter's name will be added to that plaque.
"Being a third generation to receive the American Farmer Degree is an extreme honor and privilege. I couldn't have gotten where I am today without the support of my parents, grandparents, teachers Robin Allen and Karyn Billmayer, the community, and the surrounding FFA members and advisors. Thank you to everyone that helped me on my journey," Grusize concluded.
