David Gibbens from West Holt Public Schools and Kris Rut from Arthur County Public Schools were selected as the two recipients for their FFA Advisor of the Year award. This award honors FFA advisors for outstanding work in their local communities.
The winning advisors received a plaque and a $1,000 donation to their FFA chapter.
The teachers were nominated by their students and chosen based upon their school and community involvement, leadership development in their classroom, and their ability to keep their students involved in agriculture.
Gibbens is the FFA Advisor for the West Holt FFA Chapter. The West Holt community describes Gibbens as “the guy on top of things.” Gibbens strives to help students find success in and out of the classroom. He has helped students created five school-based businesses, led countless career development event teams to states and nationals, and has helped grow chapter membership to the highest it has been in 30 years. Gibbens commitment to developing students into capable leaders in order to better the community is unmatched.
“’I am humbled to be named the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Advisor of the year. FFA Advisors across the state put in countless hours and work to develop members into future leaders of our communities and state. I am honored to receive this honor when so many are deserving,” Gibbens said.
Rut is the FFA Advisor for the Arthur FFA Chapter. Rut is integrated into her FFA chapter and community. She pushes her students to serve others through community outreach and stretch themselves professionally by trying new opportunities. While Rut has led many career development event teams to success, her students truly value that she defines success in unique ways: when they correctly dissect a calf, or decorate a Christmas tree for veterans, or restoring a community Mother-of-the-Year garden. Her commitment to bettering her students and community is evident.
“I am incredibly honored to be nominated by the Arthur County FFA members and recognized for this award. I am grateful to work in a field where exposing students to the diversity of agriculture and the traditional and non-traditional ways to be involved in the industry are top priorities. This is possible thanks to support from administrators, communities, and organizations who recognize the significance of Agriculture Education and FFA in our schools.” Rut said.
