Asher honored by Illinois FFA for distinguished service

[June 20, 2014]  SPRINGFIELD – Alexis Asher, of Hartsburg IL, was named the 2014 Distinguished Service Award recipient by the Illinois Foundation FFA. Recognized for her legacy of significant and distinguished service to the Illinois Foundation FFA and Illinois FFA and agricultural education. The award was presented during the 86th Illinois State FFA Convention.

Alexis served as the local collection drive chair for the Hartsburg-Emden FFA Chapter for more than 20 years. She grew annual Foundation contributions by more than $4,000 over those years. Last year, the chapter’s total contributions to the Foundation was $5,030. Thanks to Asher’s leadership, the chapter and local community have raised $53,621 for the FFA collection drive during her tenure as chair. Betsy Pech, Agriculture Education Teacher and FFA Advisor, says, “Alexis is a tremendous supporter of the FFA and especially the Hartsburg-Emden FFA Program. We have been very fortunate to have such a reliable foundation chair for the Hartsburg-Emden program”.

Alexis first agreed to serve as the collection drive chair after being motivated by attending a Hartsburg-Emden FFA Chapter Banquet. She recalls, “At the banquet, I saw so many students doing such great things in the community. I knew I needed to help support the agriculture education students”. She is most excited about how the FFA organization helps students learn leadership and provide service to others.

The Illinois Foundation FFA was established in 1947 to provide incentive awards and leadership training opportunities for Illinois FFA members. The success of the Foundation has been made possible because of the dedication of individuals like Mrs. Asher. Today, more than 17,520 members in Illinois benefit from the financial support which the Foundation provides for Illinois FFA. This past year, more than 5,000 individuals and companies supported the Illinois Foundation FFA with gifts totaling $562,899.

More than 3,500 Illinois FFA high school students participated in the 2014 Illinois State FFA Convention at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield. The Illinois Association FFA is part of the National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America. More than 17,500 students are in enrolled 326 different FFA chapters in the State of Illinois. FFA is a national youth organization of 557,318 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.illinoisffa.org for more information.
 

[Text received; ILLINOIS FFA]