North Tama Class of 2024 alumnus Ryan Hosek pictured over Christmas break with his American FFA Degree certificate. PHOTO BY REBECCA DOSTAL

TRAER – This past November, North Tama Class of 2024 alumnus Ryan Hosek of rural Traer was among the more than 5,000 FFA members who received the American FFA Degree during the 98th annual National FFA Convention & Expo held in Indianapolis – the largest cohort in the organization’s history.

Due to Hosek’s participation as a member of the Buena Vista Beavers football team, he was unable to attend the degree ceremony in person. His family instead celebrated the honor over Christmas break last month.

The award is conferred annually to members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, community service, academic excellence, and commitment to their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs. According to the national organization, less than 1% of FFA members achieve the American FFA Degree.

“I had to get an Iowa Degree first which I received in 2024,” Hosek told the newspaper via email. “I had to keep records on my SAE for four years. … [My] project was in Entrepreneurship with raising cattle and in Ag Placement when I worked for CNC Lumber.”

As part of the degree program, Hosek also had to keep track of his community service and any organizations in which he held leadership positions throughout his four years of high school.

When asked about the importance of earning the prestigious degree, Hosek said he set a goal for himself early on to achieve the honor. He spent all four years at North Tama under the guidance of then-FFA Advisor Matt Cibula.

Hosek is currently a sophomore at BVU where he is majoring in animal science and agricultural business. His plans after graduation include returning to the family farm where he hopes to “advance his skills in beef reproduction through embryos and artificial insemination in cattle.”

Congratulations, Ryan!