Retired Cooper Independent School District agricultural instructor Sam Bettes was honored by his peers of the Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association (VATAT).
Bettes received his Honorary Life Membership on July 25, 2017. According to the information provided, the award was in honor of his 42 years of teaching agriculture education and his service to the VATAT. His teaching career included five years at Community High School in Nevada, Texas and 37 years at Cooper High School, in which he retired in May 2017, in Cooper, Texas.
“Well deserved! Mr. Bettes spent a lifetime caring for students and promoting the values of our agricultural community,” said Cooper ISD Superintendent Denicia Hohenberger. “We are proud of his achievement and of the way he has always represented Cooper Bulldogs with class.” Among his contributions annually Bettes coordinated with the Delta County Chamber of Commerce the Delta County Jr. Livestock Show and County Fair in the Spring.
This honor was presented to him by Shane Crafton, VATAT President, at the opening session of the VATAT Professional Development Conference in Arlington, Texas.