Three Clarendon High School seniors were recognized this summer for their accomplishments in agricultural education by earning the Lone Star Degree, one of the highest honors available to Texas FFA members.
Courtesy Photo
Ronan Howard, Zane Cruse and Parker Haynes each earned the degree through their accomplishments in agricultural education, FFA leadership and their Supervised Agricultural Experience programs.
The Lone Star Degree is awarded by the Texas FFA Association to third- and fourth-year members who meet requirements that include completing agricultural education coursework, maintaining a supervised agricultural experience, documenting their progress through the Agricultural Experience Tracker program, and demonstrating leadership.
The degree recognizes students who have gone beyond simply participating in FFA and have demonstrated hard work, responsibility, leadership, and real-world agricultural experience gained through their high school agriculture classes.
For Howard, FFA has become an important part of his life and has helped shape his interest in agriculture.
“FFA has truly built me into who I am,” Howard said. “FFA has created a passion in me to advocate for agriculture and the organization, as well as to teach brotherhood and community.”
Howard said receiving the Lone Star Degree was a rewarding recognition of the work he put into the program.
“Receiving my Lone Star was an amazing reward for my time in the program and the work I put in through both time in the classroom and working under the AET program,” he said.
Cruse said FFA provided opportunities and friendships she never expected when she joined the organization.
“FFA has given me so many wonderful opportunities that I could never imagine were possible,” Cruse said. “I have made so many friends, and I am so grateful for everything that I have learned through FFA.”
Cruse said earning the Lone Star Degree gave her an opportunity to demonstrate the results of her commitment to FFA.
“Receiving the Lone Star Degree gives me a chance to show all of the hard work I have put into this organization and everything it has given me,” she said.
Haynes credited FFA with giving him opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, including participation in contests and stock shows.
“FFA has afforded me many opportunities through contests, stock shows and working outside the classroom,” Haynes said. “The Lone Star truly rewarded my hard work and dedication through FFA.”
As seniors, Howard, Cruse and Haynes will enter their final year at Clarendon High School with the Lone Star Degree marking a significant milestone in their FFA careers. Their accomplishments reflect the practical agricultural experience, leadership skills, and commitment they have developed through Clarendon FFA.
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