Although gifted agricultural students were certainly the stars of this event, an annual affair steeped in tradition, it was impossible not to notice the energy that Bonham’s first female agricultural instructor, Nita Bankston, brought to the local FFA chapter.
“She had the enrollment tripled before the first bell ever rang,” were Bonham ISD Superintendent Dr. Linda Gist’s well-chosen words and to any teacher dedicated to enriching the lives of those that follow us, there can be no better compliment. “I see before me,” Dr. Gist continued, “some of the best leaders our school has to offer and I would like to thank Mrs. Bankston for her tireless efforts. It is always a pleasure to watch students such as these grow in leadership and learn discipline due to the FFA.”
After a wonderful introduction, former Bonham resident Craig Buford stepped forward to give the keynote address.
“Greetings from my new city, Austin, and I think the last time I had an intro that nice my mom wrote it,” Buford told the crowd. On a night reserved for tradition and mottos, Mr. Buford even brought a Hill Country motto back to North Texas. “Our motto in Austin is ‘keep it weird’ and I think we are doing a pretty good job of it,” Buford joked. The crowd also appreciated his first experience with FFA projects.
“I was in the fourth grade at Stephenson School and the FFA guys kept some cattle behind the school,” Buford recalled. “Well, every day the cows got out and my teacher, Jo Griffith, let me go get them back in.” That gave Buford a chance to meet one of Bonham’s most influential Ag teachers, James Griffith, a man that obviously had an impact on the fourth grader. “We thought it would never be the same program after he left,” Mr. Buford stated, “but all the great things Mr. Griffith had begun were built upon by fine teachers like Nolan Norris and now Mrs. Bankston.” Ag III with Mr. Norris was a challenging class that Buford said made some of his college courses easier and he credited FFA with teaching him record-keeping skills.
Buford looked at the changing rural landscape when he asked the pertinent question, “Is FFA relevant today?” Learning to use EPDs (Expected Progeny Difference) to influence optimum birth weights and at the same time produce better cuts of beef was Buford’s first example of helpful information that is routinely taught in FFA. While admitting that more land is being set aside for recreational activities, particularly hunting, the work being done with embryonic transfers and the select feeding of dairy cows proves that this industry is as dynamic as ever.
“So, just look at all these recent developments and I think you will find that today’s FFA is very relevant,” Mr. Buford predicted, “but to take full advantage of improvements in technology, we all will need science, math and computer skills.”
Buford even had a little fun with Fannin County Judge Derrell Hall, one of the dignitaries in attendance. With a grin, he told the Judge that those blue FFA jackets meant a lot to him “when I was a kid and saw the older guys like Derrell wearing them.” After a little laughter subsided, Buford finished on a serious note when he added, “Those jackets still mean a lot.”
Mrs. Bankston gave a lot of credit for the remarkable growth in the Bonham FFA chapter to support from businesses and individuals that realize just how important a thriving FFA class can be to a rural community. A very special thanks went out from the first-year instructor to Bonham State Bank, Muenster Sale Barn and Scotty Austin, Wal-Mart, Kennedy Arbor, Juan and Glynell Sewell, Jack Berni, Keith and Penny Johnson, Kelly and Stacy Hunnicutt, Ken and Mary Lou Fox, Tom Fox, Lawton Lankford, Sid Andrew, Shane and Shawna Wallace, Jeff and Lisa Williams, Mark and Deana Hudson, Bonham Concrete and Fannin Bank.
Mrs. Bankston’s graduating students smiled when she singled them out for “being the first senior class to encounter a female Ag teacher…and this was a great class to begin with.”
SENIORS:
Jon Eric Dorsey – Grain Production Placement, Agricultural Sales, Diversified Crop Production
Aaron Hudson – Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneurship, Aquaculture Placement
Leighanna Morton – Agricultural Communications Placement
Micah Rich – Poultry Production Entrepreneurship
Chris Williams – Landscape Management Placement, Diversified Horticulture Entrepreneurship
JUNIORS:
Stephanie Betts – Wildlife Production and Management Placement, Small Animal Production and Care Placement, Creed Speaking
Travis Coonrod – Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement, Ag Mechanics Design and Fabrication
Jake Lackey – Agricultural Sales Entrepreneurship, Poultry Production Placement, Ag Mechanics Design and Fabrication
Ashley Owens – Floriculture Placement
Michael Talley – Creed Speaking
SOPHOMORES:
Devin Grigg – Diversified Livestock Production Placement, Beef Production Placement, Equine Science Placement, Dairy Production Placement
Michelle Moyer – Environmental Science and Natural Resources Placement
Dustin Yeager – Equine Science Entrepreneurship, Agricultural Services Entrepreneurship, Diversified Agricultural Production Entrepreneurship
FRESHMEN:
Renee Breach – Wildlife Production and Management Entrepreneurship, Swine Production Entrepreneurship, Forage Production Placement
Lauren Fox – Outdoor Recreation Placement, Beef Production Entrepreneurship
Aaron McCraw – Specialty Animal Production Entrepreneurship
Chance Roberts – Agricultural Processing Placement, Agricultural Services Placement, Emerging Agricultural Technology Placement
Mindy Roberts – Goat/Sheep Production Placement, Specialty Animal Production Placement
Greg Williams – Nursery Operations Placement
Junior Livestock Judging Team – First Place at the Fannin County Fair. Jr. FFA members Cole Lackey, Caleb Coonrod, Danner Duncan, Ethan Fox and Kaitlan Fox were recognized for an outstanding year.
The Star Discovery Award was presented to Caleb Coonrod.
2002-2003 Star Greenhand – Chance Roberts
Star Chapter Farmer – Dustin Yeager
Star Chapter Farmer – Devin Grigg
Outstanding FFA member – Jake Lackey
DeKalb Accomplishment Award – Chris Williams, chapter President
H.O. Sargent Award – Tommy sessums, Kennedy Arbor, Mark and Deana Hudson, Jeff and Lisa Williams
Outstanding Media Representative – North Texas e-News
