Midd-West High School April 2025 Young American
Midd-West High School’s Young American for April 2025 is Gradie Shaffer. She is the daughter of Cam and Angelina Shaffer of Middleburg. Gradie serves in leadership roles as the FFA Sentinel and Twilight Riders 4-H President. Gradie has received multiple top 10 placings at the Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show. She was named Equine Science Entrepreneurship Proficiency State Winner in 2024. In FFA, Grade placed 1st on the Livestock Judging Team at the FFA State Convention in 2024 and received the Silver Individual for Livestock Judging at the 2024 National FFA Convention. She was selected as the Student of the Month in 9th Grade and has been on the Distinguished Honor Roll and Honor Roll throughout her high school career. Gradie has given back to her community by taking horses through the Twilight Riders 4-H Club to local nursing homes for the residents to enjoy, Trunk-or-Treat, and filling Operation Christmas Child boxes at her church. She currently breeds feeder pigs and is working towards having a show pig business. Gradie plans to attend Heartland Horseshoeing School in Missouri to become a farrier and then come back to Pennsylvania to start her own farrier business. Gradie believes she was selected as a Young American because of her drive and dedication to succeed. She works hard and doesn’t quit until she feels she has given it her all. Gradie would like others to know that she would not be who she is today without God and the support of her friends and family. "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16).