A degree above the rest

widman@sanduskyregister.comWhen Jessica Stacy joined FFA as a Margaretta High School freshman, her trademark blue corduroy jacket was empty.Five years later, it's bursting at the seams — with accomplishments and with fond memories.Earlier this year, Stacy received the national agricultural organization's highest honor: the coveted American Degree and gold key, awarded at prestigious ceremony in Louisville, Ky.After it ended, it was difficult to take off her beloved jacket one last time."We all had to emotionally prepare for it," Stacy said.On Dec. 15, she returned to her hometown district to share her experience with Margaretta Schools officials and showcase her jacket."Without FFA, I have no idea where I'd be right now," she told board members, teary-eyed.The Ohio State University sophomore, 19, is studying agronomy, with a minor in agricultural business and applied economics.She hopes to someday work for an agricultural company."The way I explain it to people is it's kind of like being a plant doctor," Stacy said. "My time in FFA made me realize this is what I want to do."Stacy's award is quite the feat — less than 0.5 percent of all FFA members in the U.S. earn their American Degree, her adviser, longtime agriculture teacher Kevin Kremer, explained.The application process is extensive and rigorous."She accepted every challenge," Kremer said. "She was timid as a freshman, but that's what I think is special about the agriculture program — it gives students an opportunity to get involved, open up and grow as a person."Stacy is the daughter of Mark and Mary Stacy, of Castalia.She has already secured two internships with Helena Chemical Company in Bowling Green. This spring, she plans to study abroad in Brazil with Alpha Zeta Partners, an honorary fraternity.She has also taken on other leadership roles at Ohio State.During her time at Margaretta High School, Stacy was the FFA chapter's reporter her junior year and its vice president her senior year. She was also a candidate to become a state FFA officer.Stacy continues a long tradition of FFA success at Margaretta High School.In the past 20 years, the school has claimed a total of 36 American Degree recipients.She will be recognized as an FFA member until 2016 — three years after high school graduation.Register photo/ALISSA WIDMAN NEESE Jessica Stacy, a 2013 Margaretta High School graduate and a current student at Ohio State University, speaks to Margaretta school board members Dec. 15 about her experiences in FFA, which culminated with an American Degree this year.Register photo/ALISSA WIDMAN NEESE Jessica Stacy, a 2013 Margaretta High School graduate and a current student at Ohio State University, accepts an award from Margaretta school board president JoAnn McMahon on Dec. 15. Her adviser, teacher Kevin Kremer, is also pictured.Register photo/ALISSA WIDMAN NEESE Jessica Stacy's FFA jacket is displayed on a table at the Margaretta board of education office during its December meeting.Register photo/ALISSA WIDMAN NEESE Jessica Stacy, a 2013 Margaretta High School graduate and recent recipient of an FFA American Degree, poses for a photo with her parents, Mark and Mary Stacy, left, her adviser, teacher Kevin Kremer, middle, Margaretta school board president JoAnn McMahon, second from right, and school board member Kent Miller, right.