WASHBURN - A Vocational Agriculture Instructor at Washburn High School was the recipient of an Honorary American Farmers Degree at the 36th Annual F. F. A. Convention held in Kansas City, Mo., last week.
The degree was bestowed upon Everett C. Cunningham who has taught Agriculture at Washburn High School for 40 years.
Cunningham was an original resident of Patten. He graduated from the University of Maine in 1923. That year he began his career as an Agriculture Instructor at Washburn High School. He still remains at his desk after 40 years of service.
In 1930, he organized the F. F. A. at Washburn High School, two years after it was, organized Nationally. Gerald Cole, owner of a local clothing store, was my first president, said Cunningham.
Cunningham stated that he had seen approximately 250 students of his go on to be farmers or be allied workers with agriculture. Four students he recollects, are agriculture teachers. One of Cunningham's students was Congressman Clifford G. McIntyre of Perham. He taught his son, Charles Cunningham, who, while attending Washburn High School, was the State President of the F. F. A. Dr. Charles Cunningham; his son, also attended the University of Maine where he received his Master's Degree. He received his doctorate degree from the University of Wisconsin. He has a P.H. Degree in Plant Pathology and Genetics and is employed by the Campbell Soup Company. He and his family reside in Moorestown, N. J.
His grandson, Stewart Woodman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Llewelyn Woodman of Washburn, is now a second year student at the Maine Vocational Technical Institute in South Portland. While his grandson was at Washburn High School, Cunningham was given the honor of presenting him with a scholarship totaling $500 for his accomplishments. Stewart was the winner of the Rural Electrification Quiz Contest and received $200. An extra $300 was awarded to him for winning the State Rural Electrifiation Foundation Award.
After his 25th anniversary, the Washburn Alumni and citizens presented the Cunninghams with a new car for appreciation of his work.
His latest accomplishment was the winning of the Honorary American Farmers Degree in Kansas City.
Teachers are scored for this degree on a point system for the many phases of their work. Cunningham had 3500 points to his credit.
One of his students, Gary Fox of Wade, accompanied him on his trip. He was the recipient of an American Farmer Degree. The two flew to Kansas City with Governor John H. Reed, who was the main speaker at the convention prior to the awarding of the American Farmer Degree. Approximately 11,000 persons attended the convention.
Other accomplishments made the past years by Cunningham was that he is Past President of the Maine Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association; past president of the Maine Vocational Association; past president of the Washburn Rotary Club; Past Master of the Masonic Lodge of Masons; and past president of the Washburn Teachers Club.
He and his wife Eula reside on School Street in Washburn.