Cooper is pictured second from left during a special award presentation at Nevada High School on Feb. 18. – Photo provided

Toledo native Kevin Cooper was recently named one of the finalists for the 2022 Golden Owl Award presented by the Iowa FFA Foundation and Nationwide. Cooper is a veteran Agriculture Education teacher and FFA advisor for Nevada High School in Story County where he’s been teaching for 34 years. The Golden Owl award program recognizes agricultural educators across Iowa for their contributions to helping the next generation of agricultural leaders. Cooper was chosen out of 166 applicants as one of seven finalists for the award which will be announced in April during the state FFA leadership conference in Ames. Finalist recipients were presented with a plaque and $500 cash. Cooper is a 1978 graduate of South Tama County High School and a DMACC and Iowa State University alum.