Graham FFA students honored at state convention

• (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO | GRAHAM FFA) Graham FFA students received Lone Star FFA Degrees during the 96th Texas FFA State Convention last week in Houston. Shown from left to right are recipients Hannah Hollingsworth, Brailey Brooks, Kiya Cope and Hailey Fuentes.

Braving Hurricane Beryl, Graham FFA students attended the 96th Texas FFA State Convention last week in Houston and came away with four Lone Star FFA Degrees.

The state convention was held July 8-12 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Graham FFA students Brailey Brooks, Hannah Hollingsworth, Kiya Cope and Hailey Fuentes were Lone Star FFA Degree recipients.

The Lone Star FFA Degree is the highest degree bestowed by the Texas FFA.

Recipients must have been active FFA members for at least two years and completed at least four semesters of agricultural science at or above the ninth grade level.

The degree recipients must also have maintained a supervised agricultural experience program, demonstrated leadership skills and shown a commitment to the organization through involvement at the chapter level and above.

“The requirements are to have received your green hand and chapter degree,” Hollingsworth said. “You also have to go through and record all of your achievements and things you have done that past years in your record book which is then reviewed and checked by district, area and state level people to see if you meet the requirements for your lone star.”

Graham FFA takes its officer team for the year to the state convention, but this year three additional students attended to receive the degree.

Hollingsworth, who has been in FFA since her freshman year, said this was the second year she has attended the convention.
She graduated in May from Graham High School and said the Graham FFA program helped her gain many life skills.

“For example, being able to speak in public settings and learning how to take care of animals and the proper way to show a rabbit. But what I gained most was a family that loves and supports me no matter what,” she said.

Serving as an officer every year, Fuentes has attended the convention many times and it has made a positive impact on her FFA journey.

As Fuentes moves into her senior year she said she is grateful for the local program and the GHS ag teachers.

“There are so many achievements I have gained while at Graham. From leadership skills to lifetime friendships to unforgettable memories. I am very proud to say that from the Graham FFA program,” she said. “I would like to pursue a career in agriculture education in hopes to become an agriculture teacher to impact other students just how my ag teachers have made an impact on my life.”

Fuentes and Hollingsworth said they were excited to receive the Lone Star FFA Degree.

“I am very thankful I had my ag teacher Hunter Roach to guide me through the process of getting my lone star,” Fuentes said. “All the difficult late afternoons and class time we put into the lone star process was so worth it in the end.”

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