Student Teacher Roman Fox (left),Wagener-Salley team members Brittany Howard, Steven Swan, Tripp Gantt
and Mitch Rushton with Agricultural Education Instructor Allen Williams.
WAGENER-SALLEY FFA TRACTOR OPERATORS TEAM
TAKES TOP STATE HONORS
COLUMBIA, SC….The Wagener-Salley High School Tractor Operators Team took first place honors in the State Finals held recently at the State Fair Grounds in Columbia, according to John W. Parris, spokesperson for the SC FFA organization.
Team members Tripp Gantt, Brittany Howard, Steven Swan and Mitch Rustin successfully outscored teams from throughout the state. They were coached by Allen Williams, Agricultural Education Instructor at Wagener-Salley High School, and Roman Fox of Batesburg-Leesville, a senior at Clemson University majoring in Agricultural Education, who has been practice teaching at Wagener-Salley under the supervision of Mr. Williams.
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Tripp Gantt, (center) High Scorer in FFA Tractor Operators CDE, with Al Gainey (left), owner of Carolina Tractor and Marine, and Allen Williams. |
Tripp Gantt, a Wagener-Salley team member, was the high individual scorer in the state event. Matthew Dickard, a member of the B.J. Skelton Career Center team, was the second high scorer and Brittany Howard, Wagener-Salley team member, was the third high scorer. Matthew was coached by Abbie Piotrowsky, Agricultural Education Instructor at the B.J. Skelton Career Center, Easley.
Lakewood FFA members William Russell, Scott Harrington, Brandon Hanniford and Ronny Avallone were named the Runner-up team in the state finals. They were coached by Jillian Shupenis, Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA advisor at Lakewood High, Sumter.
Pelion team members Jeffrey Padgett, Timothy Horton, Gary Williamson, Andrew Massey and Kyle Williamson placed third in the state competition. They were coached by Frank R. Stover, Jr., Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA advisor at Pelion High, and Kevin Sox, a senior at Clemson University majoring in Agricultural Education, who has been practice teaching at Pelion under the supervision of Mr. Stover.
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Lakewood FFA Team members William Russel (left), Scott Harrington, Brandon Hanniford and Ronny Avallone with Jillian Shupenis, Agricultural Education Instructor at Lakewood High. |
The tractors used in the state competition were provided by Al Gainey, owner of Carolina Tractor and Marine of Anderson.
Clemson University Agricultural Education Administrative staff planned and coordinated the event with assistance from members of the Clemson Collegiate FFA Organization.
“The primary objective of this agricultural engineering-related competition is to provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their skill in operating a tractor and implement while practicing appropriate safety measures,” Parris said. “Teaching students to properly operate a tractor in a safe manner is a part of the agricultural engineering curriculum in many agricultural education departments throughout South Carolina”, 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 agricultural education.
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Student teacher Kevin Sox (left), Pelion team members Jeffrey Padgett, Timothy Horton, Gary Williamson, Kyle Williamson and Andrew Massey with Frank R. Stover, Jr., Agricultural Education Instructor at Pelion High. |
Matthew Dickard, second high individual scorer, with Coach Abbie Piotrowsky |
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| Brittany Howard with Al Gainey (left) and Allen Williams | |