Six Carthage FFA students and a Carthage ISD administrator were presented with their FFA Lone Star Degrees at the 95th Texas FFA Convention, held in Dallas July 10-14.
FFA Leadership presented Lone Star Degrees to Carthage students Zay Dunn, Cy Howsmon, Miller Ivy, Taylor Marshall, Autumn Nelson and Slade Wedgeworth. Carthage ISD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tim Rocka was presented with the Honorary Lone Star Degree.
“It was wonderful to watch these six students receive their Lone Star Degrees,” said Dr. Rocka. “It was truly an honor to receive the Honorary Lone Star Degree and I am incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve gained through the years being part of CTE programs, especially agricultural education.”
FFA students must complete extensive requirements in agricultural education activities, be an active FFA member for at least two years, achieve investment goals, perform community service, earn recognition at the chapter level, and complete a significant amount of activities above the chapter level to receive a Lone Star Degree. The Lone Star FFA Degree is the highest degree of membership the State FFA Association can award.
Honorary FFA degrees are presented each year to individuals who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA and who have rendered outstanding service. Individuals may be elected to honorary membership by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting or convention.
Rocka was nominated for outstanding contributions to the FFA over his professional career. Dr. Rocka began his journey with the FFA as a member at Aldine Sr. High School as a freshman, culminating in his service as the Aldine FFA Chapter FFA President his senior year. He pursued a career in agricultural education, and as an agriculture teacher and later school administrator, he has provided unwavering support for the FFA over his 33-year professional career.
He has served on numerous FFA-related committees, including membership with the Houston
Livestock Show and Rodeo. His most recent accomplishments include the expansion of the Whitehouse FFA Chapter from a four-teacher department to a six-teacher department.
Rocka joined the Carthage ISD team in January and has a similar vision for the Carthage FFA program. “Our local community deserves an award-winning FFA and agriculture program, and I intend to roll up my sleeves, supporting teachers, students, parents, community members, and key school leaders to make Carthage FFA a premier FFA program that meets the needs of the Carthage community,” said Rocka.