Team members (left to right) Cortney Dillard, Amanda Marshbanks, Crystal Roddy and Mary Susan Henderson with Advisor Melanie Birchmore.
LAURENS FFA HORSE TEAM TAKES TOP STATE HONORS
COLUMBIA, SC…The Laurens District 55 High School FFA Horse Judging Team took first place honors in the State Finals at Clemson University recently, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA Association.
Team members Crystal Roddy, the high individual scorer in the competition, Mary Susan Henderson, the second high individual scorer, Cortney Dillard, the third individual scorer, and Amanda Marshbanks along with their advisor, Melanie Birchmore, won an expense-paid trip to the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, to participate in the National FFA Horse Judging Finals later this year. Mrs. Birchmore is the Agricultural Education Teacher at Laurens High School.
The Belton-Honea Path team was State Runner-Up and the Chesterfield team placed third in the finals.
ON LEFT: Belton-Honea Path team members (left to right) Jennifer Martin, Kaci Brock, Loren Hodgens and Jason Wright with Advisor Glenn Stevens.
ON RIGHT: Chesterfield team members (left to right) Elisabeth Stamey, Rebecca Carter, Kayla Perdue and Austin Huntley with Advisor Beth Whisenhunt.
The SC Horsemen’s Council sponsored and served lunch for the event attended by FFA members and advisors from throughout the state. Council officials, who assisted, included Wheeler Buff, Treasurer; Directors Butch Kennedy and Brenda Baldwin; and member, David Long.
“Equine Science is a very popular course in high school agricultural education departments, and many FFA members own and show horses”, Parris said. “Horses are a very important part of South Carolina’s agricultural industry”, he added.
The mission of the FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education.
