It’s taken many decades for a Clarke student to accomplish what Kooper Brimm did.
Brimm, a senior and member of Osceola Big Chief FFA, was selected as a national finalist for the National FFA Proficiency Award in Home and/or Community Development — Entrepreneurship/Placement.
Brimm was the first person in the chapter since 1938 to receive the honor. Brimm was one of only four people chosen to compete for the award at the national finals held in October during the 88th National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, Ky. There are more than 600,000 members nationally in FFA.
“I guess it was pretty cool because, being the first one from the chapter, made Ms. Boyd really happy, and I kind of felt like I had made her proud,” Brimm said. “So, that made me happy seeing her happy. Our chapter has reached new heights.”
The awards
The proficiency awards recognize outstanding student achievement in agribusiness gained through establishment of a new business, working for an existing company or otherwise gaining hands-on career experience.
The Home and/or Community Development — Entrepreneurship/Placement Award is 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.
Brimm became eligible for the national award after winning the Iowa state FFA competition earlier this year.
“I didn’t think I was going to get anywhere past state, but being a national finalist is pretty awesome,” Brimm said.
To good use
The national proficiency award is sponsored by Carhartt, Inc., as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. In recognition of being a finalist, each of the four finalists received a plaque and $500 check.
Brimm will cash the check and give the money to his grandmother so she can save it. He said he wants to use the funds for his Haiti service trip next year.
In many ways, the national award was a way for Brimm to go out on top for his senior year in FFA.
“It was pretty cool because it showed the freshman and younger members that you can (do it),” he said. “When I came into freshman year, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do for my SAE, and that shows them you can reach the great heights with just whatever you want to do.”