Hise, Rogers earn Lone Star degree
By Sam Waller
On Wednesday, May 25, the Moran FFA banquet celebrated the accomplishments of the FFA chapter in addition to installing officers for the 2022-23 school year.
Seniors Johnnie Hise and Hannah Rogers were recognized for achieving the Texas Lone Star FFA Degree, becoming the first Moran recipients since Danny Connally in 1955.
The Lone Star Degree is the highest degree of membership the State FFA Association can award. FFA members may apply for the Lone Star Degree only after receiving the Chapter degree. Applicants must have been active in FFA for at least two years, complete at least four semesters of agricultural science at or above the ninth grade level, maintain a supervised agricultural experience program, investing significant time and money in their programs, demonstrate leadership skills, and show a commitment to FFA through involvement at the Chapter level and above.
Hise and Rogers will receive their Lone Star degrees later this month at the state FFA convention. The pair also received a certification from AMSA for Meat Evaluation.
Hise, Rogers, and Harmony Slaughter received BASF Plant Science Certification.
“This shows they understand crop production, plant processes, plant genetics, classification and nomenclature, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and water resources,” Minnie Denson said.
A special award of appreciation was given to Sam Waller of The Albany News.
Moran FFA officers for the 2022-2023 school year will be Alayna Baker, president; Allen Hebel, vice president; Daphani Crews, secretary; Ellis Hise, treasurer; Vivalee Green, reporter; Cotten Campbell, sentinel; Kacenda Thompkins, student advisor; and Jayla Bussell, historian.
Participation awards were presented for Tractor Tech, Livestock Judging, State Horseshoe Tournament, Leadership Development Events (Ag Advocacy, Greenhand Creed Speaking, and Junior Ag Skills), Career Development Events (Meats and Vet Science), and Shackelford County Livestock Show for high school and junior members.
“We had several students complete the knowledge-based Floral Certification exam,” Moran FFA advisor Minnie Denson said. “We gave out Top 5 buckles. Students participated in the events offered over the year and gained points toward earning the buckle. Next year, I plan to have Top 10 buckles.”
A buckle was also presented for top meat judger and the Top Hand Award was presented, while the four seniors received graduation cords.
Former professional bull rider Matt Blevins, a licensed realtor and licensed auctioneer who appeared on the A&E program Storage Wars: Texas, was the keynote speaker and also conducted an auction that raised $1,100 for the chapter.
Moran FFA will have a busy June starting with the state convention June 11-15 in Fort Worth. Meat camps at Texas Tech (June 16-18) and West Texas A&M (June 23-25) will sandwich a three-day officer retreat scheduled for June 20-22.
