Rochester graduate earns prestigious American FFA Degree

Nov. 13—On Nov. 4, Esther Marie Grosz of Rochester attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis where she was awarded the American FFA Degree.

The American FFA Degree is the highest honor awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experience.

At the convention, Grosz assisted with the Washington State University information booth to attract new students toward the study of agriculture at WSU. Two other former Washington state officers who received the American Award are Lillian Mary McGregor, of the LaCrosse Chapter, and Pedro Efrain Mendoza-Zamora, of the Eastmont Chapter.

Grosz graduated from Rochester High School with an associate degree from Centralia College in May 2022. She spent the next full year as the FFA Washington state secretary serving school chapters throughout the state. During the year, she traveled to Costa Rica for the FFA international agricultural trip.

Grosz entered the FFA program at Rochester High School during her freshman year. During her time there, she served as chapter president 10th, 11th and 12th grades, and eventually added a district officer position.

Grosz has worked part-time since 10th grade at Keepers Animal Clinic in Grand Mound. Currently, she is a full-time student at Washington State University in Pullman, majoring in agriculture. On campus, Grosz works part time under the dean of the College of Agriculture Human and Natural Resource Sciences.

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