Moran students earn FFA degrees
By Sam Waller
Seven current or former Moran FFA members will receive state and national degrees later this year.
In July, recent graduate Alyssa Allred and returning students Zech Henderson, Cotton Campbell, Allen Hebel, and Ellis Hise will receive their Lone Star Degrees at the state convention in Dallas.
In October, Moran grads Johnnie Hise and Hannah Rogers will receive the American Degree at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. They are the first Moran FFA students to attain that level.
Heifers Purchased
Two Moran FFA students are getting a jump on the winter show season, purchasing heifers last week.
Moran’s Caleb York and Kacenda Thompkins were accompanied Wednesday, June 7 by superintendent Dr. John Denson and FFA sponsor Minnie Denson Bennett to Hedley to look at Braunvieh heifers bred by John and Loretta Hall. The group came home with four animals.
“We had the intention of getting some heifers and had high hopes,” Bennett said. “We found some really good quality heifers.”
Bennett said it’s been several years since cattle have been exhibited under the Moran FFA banner, though students have shown through 4-H in recent years.
“It’s been a while since anyone’s been to the major shows,” she said. “I’m excited for the kids to get this opportunity to show cattle. I’ve been wanting to get the students more involved in that since I’ve been here, and this is the first year I could do it.”
With cattle in hand, Bennett hopes to hit several big shows in the coming year.
“I’m thinking about going to the TriState Fair in September in Amarillo,” she said. “We’re also planning on hitting shows like Fort Worth, Houston, San Angelo, and the State Fair if possible. It just depends on our schedules and how busy we want to be.”
Bennett said Randy Allgood, who spoke at the Moran FFA banquet in May, facilitated the meeting with the Halls.
Braunvieh is a dual-purpose breed that originated in Switzerland.
“They are similar to Brown Swiss,” Bennett said. “They can be used for dairy or beef. It’s a interesting breed, and I’m excited to do something new.”
Bennett said membership in the Junior Braunvieh Association will have several benefits for the students, including separate shows and scholarships.
