Suffield Agriscience Alumni Earn FFA’s Top Honor

SUFFIELD, CT — Eleven former students from Suffield Regional Agriscience earned the FFA American Degree in 2025, one of the program’s highest honors, according to state Rep. Tami Zawistowski.

Each December, the school invites alumni who earned the American Degree back to campus for a “Forever Blue” ceremony. The event recognizes their achievements and gives current students a chance to hear from former classmates who found success after graduation.

Nationwide, only about one percent of FFA members earn the American Degree. At Suffield Agriscience, however, 16 percent of the Class of 2022 and 13 percent of the Class of 2023 have already earned the honor. Those numbers could grow, as students from the 2023 and 2024 classes remain eligible through 2026, according to the legislator.

Zawistowski said the program’s strong results are thanks to Program Director Laura Laflamme and the Agriscience faculty, who she said bring real agricultural experience into the classroom.

In the social media post, she thanked Suffield Public Schools for inviting her to present General Assembly citations to the honorees each year and said hearing the alumni stories continues to inspire current students in the program.

The National FFA Organization is a nationwide student program that focuses on agriculture, leadership, and career skills. The American Degree is the highest level awarded by FFA and is given to former members who continue working or studying in agriculture after high school and meet strict leadership and experience requirements. Only about one percent of FFA members nationwide earn the degree.