AcademicGround >> My student does well

Research Pays Off for Local Student: Ruddle named National Finalist for Two FFA Awards Indianapolis- The National FFA Organization recently named Paul Ruddle II of Valdosta, GA, as a finalist in both the Agriscience Student Scholarship and Recognition Program and National FFA Proficiency Award in Emerging Agricultural Technology. Ruddle has entered both of these awards programs based on his research project, “An Early Growth Study on Possible Photosynthetic Variances in Transgenic Plants: A Fourth Year Study.” Ruddle, the President of the Lowndes FFA Chapter, became eligible for the national awards after winning the Georgia State FFA competitions earlier this year. As one of eight national finalists for the Agriscience Student program, Ruddle has earned a $1,000 scholarship. The Agriscience Student program selects eligible FFA members on the basis of research projects involving agriscience skills, using applications and new technologies learned in their high school agriculture classes. Students apply these lessons to their supervised agricultural experience programs. They are also evaluated on their academic achievement as well as their involvement in school and community activities. The program is sponsored by Monsanto as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Ruddle is one of only four people chosen to compete for selected as a national finalist for the National FFA Proficiency Award in Emerging Agricultural Technology. The proficiency awards recognize outstanding student achievement in agribusiness gained through hands-on career experience. The Emerging Agricultural Technology Award in one of 49 proficiency program areas FFA members can participate in to develop valuable experience and leadership skills at the local, state and national levels. This award is sponsored by Chevrolet/GM Powertrain; Micro Flo Company and National FFA Foundation. Ruddle will compete for national honors in both areas at the 77th National FFA Convention, October 27-30, 2004, in Louisville, Kentucky. He will interviewed by a panel of judges for each competition. Both interviews are scheduled for Thursday, October 28th. He will also compete that same day with his project in the National Agriscience Fair. Lowndes FFA Advisor, James Corbett, praises Ruddle’s achievements, “Paul has certainly worked hard on this research project the past fours years. He has developed a number of skills while working with this supervised agriculture experience project including the use of the scientific method and the ability to report his work in a scholarly fashion. He is to be commended for earning his positions as National Finalist in both categories. This is considerable when one considers the fact that FFA is a national youth organization of 464,267 members.”