The Nebraska FFA Foundation has awarded Ms. Victoria Armstrong, Maywood FFA advisor, with the 2025 Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award. Armstrong was nominated for the award with support from her students, the Maywood administration, and other community members.
“Vicky is a fantastic volunteer and supporter of FFA. She is an amazing person and is well-deserving of the Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award,” Nebraska FFA Leadership Program Manager Donelle Wolters said. “I work with Vicky on various FFA and agricultural education projects and programs. The role I know Vicky for the most is her service on what we call #teamsheep during the Nebraska State Fair FFA weekend.”
“Each year, Vicky volunteers her time and talents to help with the FFA Showmanship, Breeding, and Market Lamb shows during the Nebraska State Fair. There is no payment and no reimbursement for what she does – she comes and gives her time and energy not because she has to, but because she has a desire to contribute,” Wolters says. “This is an indication of Vicky’s giving nature – she enjoys helping and creating a fun, valuable event for FFA members to participate in. And she does it not for personal gain, but because it is a good thing to do.”
The Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award recognizes a Nebraska agriculture teacher or FFA advisor for what he or she has done in helping others, specifically in the school and community outside of agriculture education and FFA. As a recipient of the award, Armstrong receives a plaque and a $500 cash award from the Nebraska FFA Foundation.
“The Foundation Board is honored to present this award to Ms. Armstrong. She exemplifies many qualities that defined Gary Scharf’s life – commitment, self-sacrifice, and genuine kindness,” says Executive Director of the Nebraska FFA Foundation, Stacey Agnew.
The annual award is named for Gary Scharf, who was a victim of an Omaha mall shooting in December 2007. Scharf grew up on a family farm outside of Curtis, Nebraska, and worked in the agricultural chemical industry. He made a significant contribution to Nebraska’s agricultural and FFA community through his years of service on the Nebraska FFA Foundation Board, including a year as Board President in 2002-2003.
