INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – National FFA Alumni and Supporters across the nation donate their time, talent and financial resources to support current FFA members. This year, during the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo, the FFA Alumni and Supporters awarded three members for their outstanding support of the National FFA Organization.

Candie Lehto, of Wisconsin, is a prime example of premier leadership. She has helped manage numerous chapter fundraisers, including a sandwich stand at the local grocery store and concession stand at the local “Music on the River” events. She has also organized banquet auction fundraisers for 130 alumni and supporters chapters as the section 8 Wisconsin representative to the state council. These banquets raise up to $8,000 annually for student scholarships to the Washington Leadership Conference. In addition, she has served on the Wisconsin policy/handbook and program development committees. As a part of the program development committee, she has presented workshops at the Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters Convention and eight alumni and supporter training programs. Lehto has also served as a national level judge for employment skills, prepared speaking and nursery landscaping. In appreciation of her dedication, she has received the Ocanta Falls FFA Honorary FFA Chapter Degree and the Wisconsin FFA Honorary State Degree.

Justin Sharpless, of Florida, is a true servant leader. He helps coach the Lake Wales FFA Agriculture Issues, FFA Ceremonies and Livestock Evaluation teams and has served as vice president and president of the Lake Wells FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter. He started a back to school BBQ to help grow alumni membership and is instrumental in implementing a Boston Butt fundraiser, sending FFA members to local and state events. In addition, Sharpless serves as a member of the Lake Wales High School Career and Technical Education Advisory Board and helps advocate for career and technical education. He has served as a national delegate for the Florida FFA Alumni Association and is a former Florida FFA state officer. He is the Warner University agricultural studies department chair, where he started the Warner University State Officer Preparation Academy and taught at Camp Roar, an agricultural summer camp.