Dr. Phinnize Fisher, Superintendent of Greenville County School District, congratulates
Agricultural Science Educators Matt Rollins (left) and Clark Woods at the Press Conference.
GREENVILLE COUNTY TEACHERS NAMED STATE’S
OUTSTANDING AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATORS
GREENVILLE, SC….Clark Woods, a member of the faculty at Hillcrest High School, and Matt Rollins, a faculty member at Woodmont High School, were both recognized as South Carolina’s top Agricultural Science teachers at a press conference at Hillcrest High School recently, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs for the SC Agricultural Educators Association.
Woods was recognized as the Outstanding Agricultural Science Educator and Rollins as the Outstanding Young Agricultural Science Educator in South Carolina. Dr. Phinnize Fisher, Superintendent of Greenville County School District, praised Mr. Woods and Mr. Rollins for their superb accomplishments as Agricultural Science Educators and presented them engraved plaques on behalf of the SC Agricultural Educators Association.
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| Steve Chamness, Principal of Hillcrest High School (left) with Clark Woods and Dr. Phinnize Fisher, Superintendent of Greenville County School District. |
Dr. Randy Reagan (left), Principal of Woodmont High School with Matt Rollins and Dr. Phinnize Fisher, Superintendent of Greenville County School District. |
Dr. Tom Dobbins, Program Coordinator for Agricultural Education at Clemson University, congratulated Mr. Woods and Mr. Rollins on behalf of Clemson University President James Barker and Dr. Calvin Schoulties, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson. Dr. Dobbins pointed out that both honorees were products of Greenville County Schools and alumni of Clemson University’s Agricultural Education Department.
Woods, a native of Simpsonville, graduated from Clemson University with BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Education and earned the ED.S from the University of Florida. He serves as head of the Agricultural Science Department at Hillcrest High School. Under his leadership, the department has grown to a three teacher program with approximately 450 students.
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Hillcrest High School FFA members with Mr. Woods and Dr. Fisher. |
As an FFA advisor, Mr. Woods has coached the state-winning Agricultural Mechanics team three times, the state-winning Wildlife team twice, the state-winning Equine Science Team twice, the state-winning Dairy Evaluation team and the state-winning Forestry team. Each of these teams represented South Carolina in the national finals at the National FFA Convention. He has coached two State FFA Officers, three State FFA Star Farmers and one State FFA Star in Agribusiness.
Mr. Woods, named Teacher of the Year at Hillcrest High School three times, is a recipient of the Governor’s Citation of Excellence Award for the Outstanding FFA Chapter in South Carolina. He is also a recipient of the Honorary American FFA Degree and the Teacher of Teachers Award. He and his wife, Fran, have three children and two grandchildren.
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| Woodmont FFA members gather around Matt Rollins and Dr. Fisher. |
Mr. Rollins, a native of Greenville, is a graduate of Greenville Technical College and Clemson University with a BS degree in Agricultural Education. He is presently completing requirements for a MS degree. Under his leadership, the department which was re-established two years ago, has grown to a two teacher program with 340 students.
As the FFA advisor, Mr. Rollins has coached two regional winners and the state champion in the FFA Creed Speaking Competition who participated in the national finals. His FFA members have shown a number of prize-winning Weather goats in local, regional and state fairs and shows. He also coaches teams to participate in the FFA-sponsored Tractor Operation and Safety competition, the Tool Identification competition and Public Speaking competition. Twelve of his students have been presented the prestigious State FFA Degree which is the highest award available at the state level.
The student body selected Mr. Rollins as the “Top Cat” at Woodmont High during his first year teaching in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments.
Mr. Rollins also serves as advisor to a successful Continuing Agricultural Education Program for Adults. He is married to the former Joy Helmke of Greenville.
Hillcrest High School Principal Steve Chamness presided at the press conference and welcomed the large crowd of friends and supporters of Mr. Woods and Mr. Rollins, including local school officials, Clemson University Agricultural Education administrators and professors, USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service officials, SC Department of Natural Resources administrators, AgSouth Farm Credit Association officials, Greenville County Conservation District Commissioners and staff, Greenville County Farm Bureau officials, State FFA President Amanda Hiott, Clemson University Collegiate FFA President Kevin Sox, local FFA members, former students, parents and representatives of the news media.
Woodmont High School Principal Dr. Randy Reagan also addressed the group and praised the agricultural science education programs at Woodmont and Hillcrest High Schools.
Susan Clarke, an official with the Greenville County School District’s Office of Public Affairs, coordinated local arrangements for the press conference and facilities. Greenville’s WYFF-TV News staff attended and prepared a feature story for the evening news, including interviews with Mr. Woods and Mr. Rollins. Spartanburg’s WSPA-TV News staff was in attendance along with reporters from local news papers. Mr. Woods and Mr. Rollins were also interviewed by the South Carolina News Network for radio stations across the state.
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| Clark Woods (right) being interviewed by WYFF-TV News Reporter and Cameraman. |
Matt Rollins (left) being interviewed by WYFF-TV News Reporter and Cameraman. |
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| Clark Woods (left) and Matt Rollins being congratulated by John Livingston, Regional Vice President, AgSouth Farm Credit, Laurens, SC. |
State FFA President Amanda Hiott (left); with Dr. Phinnize Fisher, Superintendent of Greenville County Schools; Billy Keels, State Director of Agricultural Education Administration, Clemson University; and Dr. Tom Dobbins, Program Coordinator for Agricultural Education, Clemson University. |