Los Fresnos News

LFHS FFA Students Receive Lone Star Degrees

by Ronnie Zamora/LFCISD

Los Fresnos High School incoming seniors Jorge Moya, Lane Thomae and Robert Waters received the Lone Star degree at the 90th Texas FFA State Convention held in Fort Worth July 9-13.

The Lone Star degree is the highest degree of membership the State FFA Association can award.  FFA members may apply to receive the Lone Star Degree only after they have received the Chapter degree.

Those wishing to receive their Lone Star Degree must have been an active FFA member 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 (SAE) program, invest significant time and money in their SAE, demonstrate their leadership skills and show a commitment to the FFA through involvement at the chapter level and above.

Thomae also was the State Proficiency Winner in Forestry Management.

The Proficiency Awards program encourages members to set personal goals and learn practical skills. The program provides recognition to FFA members for exceptional accomplishments and excellence in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs, which is an individualized application of classroom learning beyond scheduled class time and has been a standard part of agricultural education since 1917.

Thomae’s application won both district and area competitions before being considered by the state-selected committee in early June. He received a $1,000 scholarship and he now qualifies for the national FFA competition in October.

Five other LFHS students were recognized for at the convention. Four of them – Thomae, Emily Ramirez, Aizza Zamarripa, Nate Leyva and Brianna Bennett – placed third in the AgriScience Fair project.

In the AgriScience project, student use the scientific process as they reinforce skills and principles they have learned in AgriScience courses. They conduct research projects and prepare a scientific report and display for judging at the state level.

Odaliz de los Santos placed seventh in the Spanish Creed speaking competition. The Creed delivery and the five-minute question-and-answer session was conducted entirely in
Spanish.

LFHS principal Justin Stumbaugh received an Honorary Lone Star degree.