Logan County High School ranks first in the state in the state in the percentage of seniors in its agriculture education program last year that met the College and Career Ready benchmark.

LCHS ag teachers Bryan Estes and Jay Campbell were notified of that accomplishment recently by Brandon Davis, state supervisor for agricultural education in the Kentucky Department of Education.

“College and Career Readiness is more than a piece of accountability – it is the dedication to helping all students prepare for life after they leave high school. When a student is able to engage in rigorous academic content that is coupled with relevant technical programs, the end product is a young person that will be a productive member of society,” Davis wrote in making the announcement.

“In order for a student to be both College and Career Ready, they must perform at the highest of levels and have a clear focus of their career pathway. With that in mind, the Kentucky Agricultural Education state staff offers its congratulations on your program’s outstanding performance in getting students both College and Career Ready.”

Vocational education in general and ag ed in particular was an area of emphasis when LCHS started in the fall of 1982. The late Merle M. Johnson, who was superintendent of Logan County schools at that time, was determined to provide Logan County students quality vocational education. He had been an outstanding FFA advisor and agriculture teacher at Adairville High School before becoming superintendent.

Franklin Barnes and Doug Milliken were among the agriculture educators in the early days, and Estes—who was a member of the first senior class at LCHS—has been leading the program most of the years since. Campbell graduated from LCHS in 2002 and was named top FFA member in the state by The Courier-Journal.

The LCHS FFA chapter has been one of the most honored in the state annually ever since it was organized.

“Getting a student to be both College and Career Ready is the result of collaboration among teachers, parents, administrators, counselors, community members, and local industry,” Davis wrote. ”The fact that your program is at the top of this list is not by accident. Because agricultural education is part of the culture of your school and community, students can become successful, and our stakeholders can be assured that future generations are ready to build their communities for years to come.”

“This accomplishment would not be possible without your daily contribution to student success,” Campbell said in letting LCHS teachers and principals know about the distinction.

Earlier this year, the LCHS FFA Chapter led the nation in number of people taking test drives of Ram trucks in part of a promotion by Dodge and the local Freeland dealership.