American FFA Degrees Presented at National FFA Convention
The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture congratulates seven students and alumni who earned the American FFA Degree at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.
This year, all seven NCTA honorees traveled to Indianapolis to receive their degrees. Representing less than 1% of all FFA members, the American Degree honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional academic success, community service, leadership growth, and significant accomplishments through their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE s).
NCTA American Degree Recipients
Mallory Hanes – Haxtun, Colorado
Mallory is a second-year Livestock Industry Management major at NCTA, where she stays active in Collegiate FFA/4-H, Collegiate Cattlemen, and the Shooting Sports Team. She also serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Student Senate.
Mallory’s FFA involvement began long before her high school years. Her family was invited annually to bring animals to her chapter’s FFA Week petting zoo, and the experience quickly became a cherished tradition. Their crested Polish chicken, Moppet—famous for her feathery head—was a favorite among local elementary students. The petting zoo later grew into a yearly preschool “farm tour” at the Hanes family operation. As homeschooled students, Mallory and her brother say these interactions helped them build friendships, community ties, and opportunities they might not have had otherwise.
During high school, Mallory attended the National FFA Convention all three years, and she loved the agricultural tours her chapter took along the way. Those trips solidified her appreciation for the FFA organization and the broader ag community. She also helped with shop projects, supported chapter activities, and strengthened her SAE through her family’s dairy and livestock work. Mallory expresses deep gratitude to her FFA advisor, Mr. Jeff Plumb, whose encouragement has made a lasting impact on her journey.
Mallory traveled to Indianapolis this fall to proudly receive her American FFA Degree. After completing her program at NCTA, she plans to return home to help run her family’s micro dairy and work on her grandparents’ farm, carrying both her FFA and NCTA experiences back into her agricultural future.
Sierra Kingsbury – Smith Center, Kansas
Sierra is a second-year Agricultural Education major whose passion for teaching began long before college. Growing up in her family’s mechanic shop gave her hands-on experience that later became the foundation of her SAE—showing her how technical skills, problem-solving, and agricultural knowledge blend together. Her FFA advisor, Monica Wagner, helped turn that spark into a calling:
“She has impacted me in more ways than I can count… and inspired me to become an ag teacher myself.”
At NCTA, Sierra has found the ideal environment to launch her career in agricultural education. The college’s entire curriculum is agriculture-based, allowing future teachers like Sierra to take a wide variety of courses—animal science, agronomy, ag mechanics, communications, leadership—that they will one day teach in their own classrooms. Every elective supports agriculture, making her degree intentionally aligned with what high school ag educators need to know.
Sierra is active across campus through Ag Mechanics Club, Phi Theta Kappa, intramural sports, and serving as the PTK representative on Student Senate. Beyond the classroom, she benefits from NCTA’s deep FFA connections. The college hosts the competitive and leadership events for the regional FFA district, bringing hundreds of members to campus.
Her FFA involvement included leadership roles as student council representative and chapter vice president, organizing activities, encouraging member involvement, and supporting chapter growth. One of her favorite experiences was meeting students from across the country: “If it wasn't for FFA, I wouldn't have ties in California, New Mexico, Texas, and many other states.”
After graduating from NCTA, she plans to transfer to UNL to complete her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education.
KaCee Jo Saffer – Flagler, Colorado
KaCee Jo is a first-year student at NCTA, double-majoring in Agronomy and Agribusiness Management, already making her mark as a leader on campus through Collegiate 4-H/FFA, Farm Bureau, the Crops Judging Team, Student Senate, and serving as a Student Ambassador.
Her FFA journey is nothing short of exceptional. One of KaCee Jo’s proudest accomplishments was being elected the 2024–2025 Colorado FFA State Secretary, launching her into a year of travel across Colorado, during which she visited chapters, spoke with members, and helped strengthen agricultural education statewide. She competed in virtually every speaking event—Creed, Prepared, and Extemporaneous—and took part in Range Judging, Agronomy, Farm Business Management, and Vet Science. Her commitment earned her multiple State Proficiency Awards and a State Star Award.
KaCee Jo says her advisor, Mrs. Cockreham, played a defining role in her success: “She was the one who pushed me to do everything and never let me quit, even when I wanted to.”
At NCTA, she continues to embrace the same drive and curiosity that fueled her FFA success. Her double major equips her with expertise in both the science and business of crop production, giving her tools to serve producers and improve agricultural systems. She says hands-on learning at NCTA, from soil labs to business planning to field scouting, connects directly to what she loved about FFA: learning by doing, working with people, and growing as a leader.
After NCTA, KaCee Jo plans to enter the agronomy industry, using her communication skills, technical background, and statewide FFA leadership experience to support farmers and advance Colorado agriculture.
Erin Tempel – Wiley, Colorado
Erin is a sophomore Animal Science major at NCTA and an active member of the Stock Dog Team and Collegiate 4-H/FFA. She chose NCTA because of its strong agricultural focus and supportive, small-campus environment. “I loved the way agriculture was a part of everything about the school,” she said. “With Autism, I need classes to fit me so I can fit into them, and the small-town feel at NCTA really works for me.” She enjoys the hands-on learning in her program and says one of her favorite college experiences so far has been learning how to AI heifers and working with dogs and livestock on the Stock Dog Team.
Erin’s FFA involvement is extensive and deeply rooted in her passion for the livestock industry. Her SAE in Beef Production Entrepreneurship earned her numerous state and national recognitions, including Grand Champion Shorthorn-Plus Heifer at the Colorado State Fair. She also showed at the National Western Stock Show, competed in livestock judging and carcass evaluation, and participated in community service projects such as petting zoos, highway cleanups, youth clinics, and recycling initiatives.
A highlight of her FFA journey was meeting Dr. Temple Grandin at an event in Alamosa, where Erin received meaningful guidance that strengthened her confidence and affirmed her goals. She credits mentors Lance Jaggers and Samantha Reece, and advisor Andrew Williams, for supporting her growth and helping her achieve the organization’s highest honor.
Erin proudly traveled to Indianapolis this fall to receive her American FFA Degree. After NCTA, she plans to continue her education toward veterinary school or a graduate degree in veterinary clinical care, building on the strong foundation she gained through both FFA and her hands-on experiences at NCTA.
Wyatt Ozenbaugh – Ohiowa, Nebraska
Wyatt is a first-year student at NCTA pursuing a dual major in Agronomy and Agricultural Business. His FFA career is defined by leadership, service, and outstanding achievement. One of his proudest moments was becoming a two-time Nebraska State Champion in the Ag Mechanics CDE during his freshman and sophomore years of high school—an accomplishment that set the tone for six years of dedicated involvement in FFA.
Throughout his FFA journey, Wyatt volunteered at contests, mentored younger members, and served his chapter and community through numerous events and activities. He considers FFA one of the most meaningful programs he’s ever been a part of and credits it with helping shape the person he is today. He also extends his appreciation to two mentors who supported him along the way, Maggie Vyhnalek and Bailee Dougherty, whose guidance strengthened his skills and confidence as a leader.
Wyatt brought that same spirit of service to NCTA, where he is active in Crops Judging, Collegiate FFA/4-H, Ag Mechanics Club, Farm Bureau Club, Student Senate, and serves as a Student Ambassador. His commitment extends beyond agriculture—Wyatt proudly serves in the Nebraska Army National Guard, embracing responsibility, discipline, and service to others.
Wyatt says NCTA has been the perfect place to continue the “learn by doing” philosophy he embraced in FFA. From hands-on agronomy and mechanics coursework to leadership roles on campus, he sees every experience as preparation for his future.
After completing his program at NCTA, he plans to return home to farm the land his grandfather farmed many years ago.
Kyle Rote – Lisco, Nebraska
Kyle is a second-year Animal Science major who has been actively involved on campus and through the college’s hands-on programs. He is a member of NCTA’s Collegiate FFA chapter, competes on the Shotgun Sports Team, and worked on the NCTA ranch crew this past summer, gaining valuable real-world livestock experience.
Kyle’s FFA journey began in high school, where he was an active member for four years. For his SAE, he built and managed his own herd of Angus-cross cattle and participated in chapter fundraisers, meetings, and contests. One of his favorite memories was attending the Nebraska State FFA Convention for the first time, an experience that helped solidify his passion for the livestock industry.
He is grateful for the support of his mother and his FFA advisor, who encouraged him through each step of his FFA career and pushed him to work toward the organization’s highest honor—the American Degree. Kyle traveled to Indianapolis this fall to receive that achievement in person.
After NCTA, Kyle plans to pursue a career in bovine artificial insemination, combining his livestock background with technical training to support the beef industry.
NCTA Alumni Recipient
Donald Rohr – NCTA Class of ’24
An NCTA alumnus and Cambridge High School graduate, Donald earned his American Degree after years of involvement in 4-H and FFA with a strong focus on cattle showing, livestock judging, and supporting his family’s beef operation.
During his time at NCTA, Donald majored in Animal Science with an emphasis in Feedlot Management, valuing the college’s hands-on learning and agricultural industry connections: “I appreciate the professors’ connections to the cattle industry and their focus on helping me reach my goals.”
Since graduating, Donald has been using his education in nutrition, livestock management, and agribusiness to continue improving and expanding his family’s cattle operation.
Celebrating the Future of Agriculture
NCTA proudly commends Sierra, Erin, KaCee Jo, Mallory, Wyatt, Kyle, and Donald on earning the American Degree and representing the college with distinction at the National FFA Convention—your dedication inspires the next generation of agricultural leaders.