Three recent Denair High graduates recently became the latest recipients in the 94-year history of the school’s FFA chapter to earn the national organization’s prestigious American Degree.

Destiny Lema, Shayln Gomes and Conner Prock all were recognized earlier this month at the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis. All are members of the Denair High Class of 2023.

Lema is now a student at Modesto Junior College working toward completing her veterinarian prerequisites. Gomes attends Fresno State majoring in agriculture education. Prock works with his brother, Kyle, in the beef cattle industry raising a registered Angus herd.

There are many steps to achieving the American Degree, including a supervised project and at least 50 hours of community service with three different organizations, said Denair ag teacher Roger Christianson

Lema was farm manager at Denair FFA farm for one year, raised market hogs and had a breeding hog project. Gomes completed community floral projects, raised market hogs for two years and helped on a goat farm. Prock did ag mechanics projects in addition to raising his registered Angus herd.

This is the second time in its long history that the Denair FFA chapter has had three American Degree recipients in the same year, Christianson said. The previous time was in 1991. Since it was formed in 1929, the Denair chapter has had 20 American Degree recipients. Only about 1% of all FFA members nationally earn the degree.