For more than three decades, Tim Warren made an impact on many students at Hobbton High School through agriculture and FFA education. Although Warren recently retired from secondary education, the acknowledgment of his work will continue.
Reggie Strickland, a former student and owner of Strickland Farming, is sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship in honor of Warren, for seniors at the school. Recently, the first was awarded to Royce Brook Johnson. She will major in agricultural business at North Carolina State University.
“He passion for teaching kids about agriculture,” Strickland said. “It wasn’t just ag, he also taught how to be a good person, good leader and a good community leader. He’s a great person.”
Warren is currently at the University of Mount Olive and is the manager of Agri Operations. He said it’s a great feeling to be honored by his former students at Hobbton.
“I would like to thank Reggie for me honoring me this way,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of great friends which included teachers and students. I hope to keep making more friends.”
He also noted that it’s important for students to become involved in agriculture since so many necessities such as crops and animals come from it.
“We all like to eat and be clothed,” Warren said. “That’s what agriculture gives us along with many other things. If we didn’t have those things we’ll be in pretty bad shape.”
The longtime educator said he’ll continue to encourage youths to become involved with agriculture.
“I think there’s a lot of opportunities,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of them here at the university and at Hobbton as well.”
Strickland said Warren was his mentor during his school days at Hobbton, where he served as FFA chapter president. Former students said some of the memories include learning through agriculture shops, the greenhouse, rifle range, farm shows and conventions.
After Strickland graduated in 1983, Warren was present when he got married to his wife Laura and when his mother died two years ago, he was also there for support.
“He was more like a brother instead of a teacher,” Strickland said.
In the future, contributions from friends and former students will increase the amount of the scholarships to help sustain it. The Tim Warren Scholarship will be awarded each year at the FFA Banquet and Senior Awards Night for students majoring in the agriculture field after high school. After completing an application, a recipient will be selected by agriculture teachers, the career development coordinator and a member of Strickland Farms, Inc. The application process includes an essay question “What has Agriculture and FFA at Hobbton High School meant to Me.”
Katie Vann, career development coordinator for Hobbton High School, mentioned how it’s a great honor for a former student to recognize a teacher who has influenced the lives of many. She said Strickland’s work towards producing the scholarship is a testimony to Warren’s contributions to the school.
“Tim Warren was an outstanding agriculture teacher,” Vann said. “Many students have shared students about Mr. Warren because he was phenomenal teacher and person.”