FFA honors LaVerne and Beatrice Eick

Couple presented with honorary Empire Degree during state convention in Albion

Photo by Tom Rivers – LaVerne and Beatrice Eick, front center, are surrounded by family members who either attained Empire Degrees or who are working towards attaining the highest honor for students at the state level. In back, from left: Abigail Maines, Alexis Maines, and Empire degree winners Todd, Bill, Ken and Adam Eick.

ALBION – While they were running a dairy farm in Shelby, LaVerne and Beatrice Eick also insisted their children be involved in the Medina FFA chapter, and push themselves to excel in the program.

Their sons, Bill and Ken, both earned Empire degrees, the highest honor an FFA student can attain in the state. Three of Ken’s children – Adam, Karen and Andy – went on to earn Empire Degrees while Bill’s son Todd also attained the honor.

Todd is now advisor of the Medina FFA, which will host the state convention next year. His daughters Abigail and Alexa Maines are active members of the Albion FFA.

“It’s in our roots,” said Adam Eick, a senior at Medina and the most recent family member to earn the degree. “We had it instilled in us with grandma and grandpa and it trickled down to their children and grandchildren.”

FFA today recognized LaVerne and Beatrice for fostering a commitment and love for FFA among their family members. The couple was awarded an honorary Empire Degree in front of more than 1,000 people in the middle school auditorium.

FFA gives honorary degrees to parents or grandparents with at least three children or grandchildren who earned Empires.

Adam said his grandparents have also shown a love for family, agriculture and community.

“I couldn’t have asked for better grandparents,” he said.