Don Sabella, 2018 Lorain County JVS Landscape and Greenhouse Management alum from Amherst, was recently awarded one of the National FFA Organization’s highest honor, the American Degree. 

 

This degree is awarded to less than 1% of FFA members, and is presented to those who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to the FFA organization and have made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experiences.

 

Sabella, a 2020 Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI) grad, who currently works as a Grower at Buckeye Fresh in Medina, shared what this honor means to him. “It means more than just putting in hard work. To me, it means that you have to have heart and spirit into it. It’s more than just a title. It’s when we put forth all of our heart and soul into something, that dreams are made.”

 

“Don is one of the most driven and motivated students I have had,” said Beth Berthold, landscape and greenhouse management instructor and FFA advisor. “Don loves to educate the younger generations about horticulture, and I am proud that he decided to keep with his FFA membership and earn his American Degree. He really deserves this award and I am so happy that he has achieved this honor.” 

 

Sabella is the fourth JVS student to receive this prestigious honor.

 

In addition to the degree, Sabella received a gold American FFA Degree key. The National FFA Organization is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership.