Scheel honored at State FFA

Thermopolis FFA Alumni Association president Phillip Scheel was recognized with an honorary degree during the State FFA Convention on April 10, in Cheyenne.

The Honorary FFA Degree is the highest award the Wyoming FFA can bestow upon non-members.

“The Honorary State FFA Degree is a very special recognition for individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the FFA and agriculture education,” explained Jess Oldham, FFA State Parliamentarian.

Scheel, of Tumbleweed Propane, Inc., has been involved in FFA since he attended high school in Pine Bluffs. He continued to be an active part of FFA by helping found the Thermopolis FFA Alumni Association, where he still serves as president.

“I think it is very important to recognize these recipients because a puzzle needs every piece to be complete,” Oldham said. “The support and assistance of Honorary Degree Recipients fills the holes in the puzzle that the FFA can’t satisfy by itself.”

Recipients are nominated by local FFA chapters, agriculture education instructors or the Wyoming FFA Association. Recipients can be business owners, farmers or ranchers, instructors, sponsors or other individuals or organizations who have demonstrated a remarkable willingness to support the Wyoming FFA.

Scheel spends a lot of time each year helping develop extra activities for people to enjoy during the Hot Springs County Fair, such as the pig wrestling competition, Ag Olympics and the Over-the-Hill Showmanship competition.

He makes himself available to help students with their showmanship, speaking and parliamentary procedure questions.

“Whether it’s a donation in money, or a donation in time or a donation in support, the ripple effect of that support reaches to every level of the FFA,” Oldham said. “The benefits are really countless.”