by Chrisinda Scheideler-Ritz
Agricultural Educator, OPS
   This year, Nebraska had over 900 students receive the State FFA Degree. This included four students from here at Ord. They were Drue McKay, Grady Moudry, Cheyenne Reineke, and Dawson Thompson. This degree is the highest degree given in Nebraska. 
   Drue McKay is the daughter of Steve and Tara McKay. She has been in FFA for four years. She has competed in Range Judging, Land Judging, Livestock Judging, Ag Mechanics, Livestock Management, Natural Resources, and Vet Science. Her Vet Science team placed third in the district contest. She participated in Ag Mechanics during the State FFA Convention and received an individual ribbon.  Her 2024 Livestock Management team was the district champions. Her SAE was a Beef Placement, which involved all aspects of work on the family ranch. She plans to attend Northeast Community College, where she will be majoring in Animal Science. After college, she plans to come home and work on the family ranch. 
   Grady Moudry is the son of Bri and Jason Moudry. He has served as Reporter and is currently the Parliamentarian. He has competed in livestock judging, ag demo, farm management, employment skills, parliamentary procedure, and Envirothon. His SAE includes entrepreneurship in livestock production. He received a purple ribbon and placed 17th at State FFA in Farm Management. Grady will be attending Chadron State and majoring in Elementary Education. He plans on returning to the rural community to pursue his career in education. 
   Cheyenne Reineke is the daughter of Dan and Barb Reineke. She has served as treasurer and resides as Vice President. She has competed in range judging, livestock judging, land judging, ag demo, livestock management, Envirothon, vet science, and farm management. Her SAE includes entrepreneurship in livestock production and placement at the Reineke ranch. Cheyenne will be attending SCC, majoring in livestock management and production as well as agribusiness, and will be on the SCC Shooting team. She plans on working in the Livestock Industry and continuing her beef production.  
  Dawson Thompson is the son of Wes and Jessica Thompson. He has served as sentinel and resides as President. He has competed in range judging, livestock judging, land judging, ag demo, agronomy, livestock management, Envirothon, and farm management. His SAE includes a placement in Diversified Crop Production. Dawson will be continuing his education at Southeast Community College, participating in the John Deere Technician program in Milford. He plans on working at AKRS Equipment to fulfill the contract and then work on the family farm.