Empen wins award

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BYRON – Ferol Empen received the National Junior Horticulture Award.
Empen was honored by the NJHA at Indianapolis meeting in October with the Jack and Norma Leaver Distinguished Service Award. Presenting her this award was Paige Adams, Stillman Valley High School graduate who was elected vice president of the NJHA Youth organization.

"The Jack and Norma Leaver Distinguished Service Award is given in their honor for their many years of service to NJHA,” Adams said. “It is given each year to an adult volunteer leader for their service and continued support of NJHA on a local and state level.
“This Illinois native has shown exceptional dedication to NJHA, even though she has only been a member for a short time. When she attends the national convention, she absorbs all the new information and takes it back to Illinois school programs and FFA chapters. This recipient constantly acts as a role model and is always willing to lend a hand. Ferol Empen truly deserves this award and I am honored to recognize her tonight."

Empen lives in Byron and is a retired school teacher who substitutes regularly in the Meridian school district.