CLINTON — Clinton FFA members and FFA alumni celebrated the teacher and mentor who founded the chapter more than 70 years ago during the Wall of Honor dedication ceremony at Clinton High School (CHS) on Jan. 12.

Clyde Fry, FFA Advisor and agriculture teacher at CHS from 1945 to 1966, was posthumously selected as the only 2018 inductee on the school’s “Wall of Honor.” Accepting the award on his behalf were three of the organization’s founding student members, Bob Sessions, the Rev. C. Don Ferrill, and Fred Enos.

Fry brought awareness of the National FFA Organization to Clinton when he was hired as agriculture teacher in the mid-1940s, and recruited nearly 30 young men to join the organization in its first year.

During his time at CHS, Fry mentored hundreds of young farmers and agri-businessmen. He coached four state champion judging teams and two state champion public speakers. Under his watch, 23 young men earned their State Degrees and one earned his American Degree, the highest honor awarded to FFA members.

Fry directed the chapter members in their livestock projects, overseeing a successful lamb breeding project, ultimately earning himself a National Vocational Teacher’s Association Citation and Honorary American Farmer Award.

Now, chapter success continues on at CHS. The program boasts an involved alumni group and more than 70 student members. It also is home to two members of the 2017-18 Section 16 FFA officer team. Section 16 is made up of 13 schools in the region.

Fry is the second CHS FFA Advisor to be selected for the Wall of Honor. Don Prather, advisor from 1966-1994, was inducted in 2009.  Inductees’ plaques can be viewed in the high school’s south hallway near the sports entrance.