Cisne High School graduates, Kevin Hyder and Collin Draper received the National FFA Organization’s highest honor, the American FFA Degree, on November 4, 2023, during the 96th National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, IN.
Less than one percent of the 945,988 FFA members in the country ever earns the American Degree. Recipients of the honor are reserved for those students who have earned at least $10,000 and productively invested $7500 through Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs (SAEs), met all requirements of a twenty-page degree application, and completed an interview with a state recommendation committee.
Collin Draper is a 2021 graduate of Cisne High School. He is employed as a custom applicator at Wabash Valley FS. Collin intends to continue his career of learning and working in the agriculture industry. As a high school FFA member, Collin served as Cisne FFA President and competed on Horse and Livestock Judging teams. He introduced the chapter and community to the Wreaths Across America program and has since helped younger members continue the project and expand the number of cemeteries participating in the annual event. Through FFA, Collin developed successful Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) including AgriScience Research, Mowing, Ag Mechanics, Community Development, Troyer’s HVAC, Wal-mart Lawn and Garden, and Wabash Valley FS. He is the son of Tim and Doneta Draper of Johnsonville.
Kevin Hyder graduated from Cisne High School in 2022. He is currently attending Olney Central College earning an Associate Degree with plans to transfer to the University of Illinois – Springfield to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Next, he will either pursue a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois – Springfield or study Constitutional Law at the University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana. Kevin is currently employed as Shift Supervisor at Burger King in Flora. His high school accomplishments included competing with fellow teammates at the 2022 National FFA Convention and finishing as a Top 12 National Parliamentary Procedure Team, placing 2nd in the State Food Service Proficiency Award competition, and earning the class star award all four years of high school . Kevin developed Supervised Agricultural Experience programs (SAEs) that documented his efforts in Plant Systems AgriScience Research, Small Animal Care, Mowing, and Food Service. Kevin is the son of Kelly Hyder of Cisne and Kevin Hyder of Flora.