Dr. Alan Sams (left) with Mark Earle, Dr. Phinnize Fisher, Stephen Chamness and
Billy Keels at the Ribbon-cutting Ceremony to officially open the new greenhouse.
HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL OPENS NEW GREENHOUSE FACILITY
SIMPSONVILLE, SC…Greenville County School District administrators and Hillcrest High School officials joined Agricultural Education Department faculty to unveil a new state-of-the-art greenhouse at a recent press conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony held in the presence of a large group of friends, governmental officials, agricultural leaders, industry executives, news media representatives and Horticulture students.
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| State FFA President Amanda Hiott addresses Press Conference as Dr. Phinnize Fisher looks on approvingly. |
The press conference, presided over by Hillcrest High School Principal Stephen Chamness, featured a number of speakers including Dr. Phinnize Fisher, Superintendent of Greenville County School District; Dr. Alan Sams, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University; Billy Keels, State Director of Agricultural Education with Clemson University; Donna S. Forster, Executive Director of the SC Nursery and Landscape Association; Amanda Hiott, State President of the SC FFA Association; and Mark Earle, Horticultural Education Instructor at Hillcrest.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, presided over by Mark Earle, included remarks by Don Looney, President and CEO of Jaderloon Greenhouse Company, Irmo; and Mark Lourie, President., M & L Irrigation Company, Simpsonville. Dr. Phinnize Fisher was joined by Dr. Alan Sams, Billy Keels, Stephen Chamness and Mark Earle to cut the ribbon and officially open the new facility.
“The new greenhouse will serve as a unique Horticultural Education Laboratory for students interested in a career in the green industry,” Mark Earle said. “We are most fortunate to have the excellent support of the school district administrators and the Hillcrest principal and staff,” he added.
Greenville School District Director of Public Affairs Susan Clark and John W. Parris, State Director of Public Affairs with the SC FFA Association, planned and coordinated the event in concert with Hillcrest High School officials and agricultural education faculty.
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| Hillcrest FFA member Nick Lane (left) with Kyle Lane, Donna S. Foster, Mark Earle and Zach Westmoreland at Greenhouse opening ceremony. |
Dr. Phinnize Fisher with State Representative Garry Smith of Simpsonville and Mark Earle observing some of the plants being grown in the new greenhouse. |
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| Mark Lourie, Mark Earle and Don Looney at Greenhouse Opening Ceremony. | |