Ron Noll Among 8 Golden Owl Finalists
Published: Friday, March 1, 2024
Prairie Heights FFA advisors is among Indiana's Golden Owl finalists.
Educators devote limitless time, and often their own resources, to helping students pursue their passions. To recognize the contributions of Indiana's leading agricultural teachers, the Indiana FFA, Farm Credit Mid-America and Nationwide are honoring eight exceptional teachers as finalists for the Golden Owl Award.
From Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023, nominations were collected for the state's top agricultural teachers from local students, parents, fellow teachers and community members across Indiana.
Indiana's 2023-24 Golden Owl Award finalists are: Hank Carson of Orleans FFA, ZoeAnn Chernowsky of Blue River Valley FFA, Erin Gilley of Southmont FFA, Brianna Lammers of Jasper FFA, Amanda Line of South Putnam FFA, Ron Noll of Prairie Heights FFA, McCord Snider of East Central FFA and Shelby Wolford of Owen Valley FFA.
Each finalist was presented with an individualized plaque in front of fellow teachers and students and received a $500 check to support future educational efforts. Next, they'll be entered into a final selection stage for the chance to be crowned as Indiana's Ag Educator of the Year, earning an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.
Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support their programs with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts. This year, the award program honors outstanding ag educators in ten states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.
"As the need grows for more ag educators across the nation, we are proud to thank and honor these hardworking agricultural teachers for their dedication," said Brad Liggett, president of agribusiness at Nationwide. "These educators play a crucial role in preparing students for successful careers in the industry."
In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is also donating $5,000 to the Indiana FFA to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.
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