Josh O’Rear (standing) with Katie McCannon, Amanda Hiott and Chris Moss riding in the parade.
STATE FFA OFFICERS PARTICIPATE IN SC APPLE FESTIVAL
WESTMINSTER, SC…State FFA President Amanda Hiott and State Vice President Katie McCannon attended the Rotary Club-sponsored South Carolina Apple Festival Luncheon held in the Westminster Baptist Church Social Hall, Westminster, SC, on Friday, September 8th, with approximately 200 in attendance.
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| Katie McCannon (left) with Chris Moss,
Amanda Hiott, Josh O’Rear,
Dr. Phil Fravel and Chris Corzine. |
National FFA officer candidate Josh O’Rear, a former State FFA officer and a junior at Clemson University; former State FFA officer Chris Moss, a graduate student in Agricultural Education at Clemson University; John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization; Chris Corzine, associate state director of Agricultural Education with Clemson University and Dr. Phil M. Fravel, an Agricultural Education faculty member at Clemson University, also attended.
State Representative William E. Sandifer, III, welcomed and introduced Miss Hiott, Miss McCannon and Mr. O’Rear individually and each received a tremendous round of applause. Representative Sandifer presented the FFA officers as “very special guests” of the Apple Festival.
Amanda, Katie and Josh were also welcomed to Oconee County and the festival by United States Congressman Gresham Barrett, an FFA alumnus from Westminster.
U. S. Senator Lindsey Graham addressed the luncheon group as did Oconee County Superintendent of Education Dr. Valerie Truesdale.
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| State Representative William Sandifer welcomes State FFA Vice President Katie McCannon and State FFA President Amanda Hiott to Westminster. |
US. Congressman Gresham Barrett welcomes State FFA President Amanda Hiott and State Vice President Katie McCannon to the Apple Festival Luncheon and Parade |
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Amanda Hiott (left) with Dr. Valerie Truesdale, Katie McCannon and Josh O’Rear. |
Congressman Barrett (left) checks his schedule as he makes an appointment to visit with Josh O’Rear in his Washington Office in the near future. |
Following the Luncheon program, the state FFA officers along with Josh O’Rear and Chris Moss rode in the Apple Festival Parade through downtown Westminster attended by thousands. Among the other dignitaries in the parade were Governor Mark Sanford, US Senator Lindsey Graham, and advisors and members from West Oak High School FFA Chapter.
This is the 11th year that State FFA officers have attended the Apple Festival Luncheon and Parade, according to Mr. Parris who coordinates state FFA officer participation in agricultural commodity festivals and parades.
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| West Oak FFA members participated in the Apple Festival, riding on their chapter float. |