Joining the best of the best – Detroit Lakes Tribune

DETROIT LAKES – Less than 2% of FFA members earn their American Degree, which is the highest degree achievable in the program. Alyssa Mitchell is about to join that elite club.

The daughter of Tony and Melanie Mitchell will be honored at the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 26-29.

To earn an American Degree, the 2020 Detroit Lakes High School graduate needed to earn a State Degree, create a business plan and cross off several other to-do items.

Alyssa’s project went along with her rural Detroit Lakes family’s plan to build a beef herd. The process began with creating a business model, putting it into practice and then investing funds. To be considered for the American Degree, profits must be earned, records kept, community service hours collected and the list of requirements continues.

Once all the boxes were checked, Alyssa had to apply for the coveted degree.

Contributed / Alyssa Mitchell

“Getting the American Degree was always a goal,” she said. “It’s a huge accomplishment.”

Alyssa noted the American Degree complements the college degree she is earning — ag education. She is attending South Dakota State University and in her senior year.

“I went into this for a career because it is my passion,” she said, noting the idea was ignited by her past ag teachers, one of which was former Detroit Lakes High School FFA advisor Trescha Mitchell.

Trescha taught the Lakers FFA program from 2004 through 2019, at which time she began teaching in the Frazee-Vergas School District.

Trescha said encouraging FFA members to go for the gold is a standard practice for her. However, few reach the club’s highest achievement.

She recalled that her former student’s road to success began with failure. Alyssa had applied with the Minnesota Beef Expo for a free heifer. She learned what was lacking in her application, worked on the recommendations and applied again.

“Even though she was defeated once, she picked it up and began building,” Mitchell said.

That determination led to getting a heifer in the next round with the Minnesota Beef Expo. Once the cow was acquired, the work began with growing the herd and keeping records of vaccinations, financial gains or losses and so forth.

Contributed / Alyssa Mitchell

“Alyssa’s motivation and leadership is impressive,” Trescha said. “You give her a task and she takes it to extremes.”

FFA provides career path for former Laker

Alyssa joined the FFA as a freshman at Detroit Lakes High School.

“I started because, while growing up I did a lot in 4H and loved it,” she said, adding her passion resided in the agriculture aspects of the program.

What she found by joining the FFA were opportunities to increase her knowledge in agricultural-related fields, as well as leadership skills. By diving in and embracing the life lessons the program offered, Alyssa noticed personal growth — particularly in communication.

“As a freshman, I didn’t want to communicate; I liked my own world,” she said. “But, with FFA, I gained those skills.”

The ability to express ideas led to leadership roles in the FFA, and life. She noted her community involvement increased, as she participated in fundraisers and other activities.

As a future ag teacher, all of the knowledge she gained in FFA will likely be put to use inspiring new leaders in the agriculture field.

Contributed / Alyssa Mitchell