Damp receives award from state FFA Alumni

Virginia “Virgie” Damp, of Oconto Falls, received the Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association Outstanding Achievement Award at the 34th State FFA Alumni Convention recently held in Elkhart Lake. The award recognizes outstanding contributions of leadership and service to agriculture education, FFA and FFA Alumni at the local, state and national levels. Graduating before girls were eligible for membership in FFA, Damp joined the Oconto Falls FFA Alumni affiliate in 2001 upon learning that membership in the FFA in high school was not a requirement for FFA Alumni involvement. She became a life member of the Wisconsin and National FFA Alumni in 2005. Damp has served as treasurer of the Oconto Falls affiliate for seven years and has organized and worked on numerous fundraisers and other projects. In addition, she has volunteered as a chaperon and supervisor for local FFA members at local, area, state and national activities. She also coordinates a meal served by volunteers of the FFA Alumni affiliate for the school district’s new teacher orientation and teacher-mentoring program. Her efforts in support of FFA extend beyond the local affiliate. She has participated in at least 10 FFA state conventions, judging speaking and other career development events at the sectional and state level. Her leadership and commitment led to her being awarded the Wisconsin FFA Honorary State Degree at the 2013 Wisconsin FFA Convention. She has also served on two Wisconsin FFA Alumni Convention planning committees. Nationally, Damp has chaperoned the Oconto County FFA member delegation to national conventions in Louisville, Ky., and Indianapolis, Ind., for 12 years, where she has judged national proficiency award applications. She also participated in the National FFA Alumni Convention, held in conjunction with the FFA Convention, for 12 years, serving as a Wisconsin delegate to the convention. Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association membership is open to anyone of any background who has interest in promoting the mission and goal of the organization. For more information, visit the Wisconsin FFA Alumni website at www.wisconsinffaalumni.org or contact a local FFA Alumni affiliate.