SCFFA Public Relations

McBee FFA Advisor Pat Earle (left front) with FFA members and ArborOne Vice President Don Boice (right front) under the “Congratulations” banner at the entrance of Osborne’s.

MCBEE FFA MEMBERS AND ADVISOR HONORED

FLORENCE, SC…Agricultural, educational and governmental leaders from throughout South Carolina gathered at Osborne’s in Florence on Thursday afternoon, August 16, for a Recognition Program and Reception in honor of McBee High School FFA members and FFA Advisor W. Pat Earle. A number of parents and family of McBee FFA members also attended.

The event, sponsored by ArborOne Financial in Florence, was designed to recognize McBee agricultural education students and their FFA advisor for a record number of state and national FFA honors and awards received during the 2006-07 school year.

Pat Earle (left) is congratulated by Dr. John R. Williams, Superintendent of Chesterfield County Schools, for his outstanding accomplishments as an Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA Advisor. Dr. Williams also announced that Mr. Earle has been selected the Outstanding Rural Educator in South Carolina and is now in competition for the national title.

Leaders who participated in the event were State Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers; State Representative Jay Lucas of Hartsville; Jack Shuler, President and CEO, ArborOne, Florence; Dr. Laurie C. Lawson, Executive Assistant for Public Service and Agriculture at Clemson University, Darlington; Kirby Player, Director of Alumni and Donor Services, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, Clemson University; Billy Keels, State Director of Agricultural Education, Clemson University; Larry Rogers, USDA-Farm Service Agency official, Columbia; Dr. John R. Williams, Superintendent of Chesterfield County Schools, Chesterfield; W. Pat Earle, Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA Advisor at McBee High School; Jerry Holley, Chairman of the Chesterfield County School Board, McBee; and Spencer McLeod, State FFA President, McBee.

FFA members recognized included Spencer McLeod who was named the State FFA Star in Agribusiness, the State Champion Extemporaneous Speaker, and State winner in Fruit Production; Justin Hawksworth, State FFA Star in Agricultural Placement; Kenneth Howle, State FFA Individual Award, Pee Dee Region FFA Star Farmer and State Champion in the FFA Job Interview competition; Megan Wayne, State Champion in the Prepared Public Speaking category; Justin Threatt, High Individual Scorer in the State FFA Agricultural Mechanics Career Development competition; and Chrissie Segars, American FFA Degree recipient.

Pat Earle was recognized as the Outstanding Rural Educator in South Carolina for 2007 by Dr. John R. Williams.

The Recognition Program was planned and coordinated by Don Boice, Vice President of ArborOne Financial, and John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA Association.

State Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers (left) with Spencer McLeod, Pat Earle and Don Boice, Vice President of ArborOne Financial.

Jerry Holley (left), Chairman of the Chesterfield County School Board and McBee FFA alumnus; McBee FFA President Kenneth Howle and E. B. Earle, retired Agricultural Educator and FFA advisor at McBee High School after 41 years service. Mr. Earle is the father of Pat Earle, the present Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA advisor. The Earles have served Agricultural Education at McBee High School for a total of 62 years.

State Representative Jay Lucas (left), Spencer McLeod and Pat Earle.

Billy Keels (left), State Director of Agricultural Education with Clemson University; State FFA President Spencer McLeod and Earle Frick, a member of the SC FFA Foundation Board of Directors and retired State Director of Agricultural Education.

Roger Smith (left), President of the SC Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association, Jefferson; Edsel Williams, Member of the National Council on Agricultural Education, Britton’s Neck; Spencer McLeod of McBee; and Larry Rogers, an official with the USDA Farm Service Agency in Columbia. The USDA Farm Service Agency sponsors the National FFA Chapter Awards and Recognition Program.

Mrs. Gaie McLeod with her son, Spencer, during the reception at Osborne’s.

Don Boice (left), Pat Earle, Florence MORNING NEWS Reporter Chuck Tomlinson, and Spencer McLeod.

Pat Earle addressed the overflow crowd as Spencer McLeod listened approvingly.

McBee FFA members enjoy gorgeous food and fine fellowship at Osborne’s in Florence.

FFA members Christy McCormick (left) and Haylee Melton served as Guest Register Attendants for the event. Shown signing the Guest Register are Kemp and Gaie McLeod, the parents of State FFA President Spencer McLeod of McBee.

Vicky Earle, wife of W. Pat Earle and a teacher at McBee High School, watches the recognition ceremony approvingly.

Jack Shuler (left), President and CEO of ArborOne Financial headquartered in Florence, talks with Kemp McLeod, father of State FFA President Spencer McLeod and owner of McLeod Farms in McBee.

Kenneth Howle, President of the McBee FFA Chapter, gets a glass of punch during the reception.

Chesterfield County School Board Chairman Jerry Holley sits with McBee FFA members during the reception. Mr. Holley is an FFA alumnus of the McBee chapter.

Kirby Player, Director of Alumni and Donor Services, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University, shared some impressive statistics on the number of McBee FFA members who have attended Clemson University over the years.

Dr. Laurie C. Lawson of Darlington, Executive Assistant for Public Service and Agriculture at Clemson University, emphasized the strong support of Clemson University administrators for Agricultural Education and the FFA in South Carolina.

FFA member Jessica Howle videotaped the Recognition Program for the her chapter’s permanent records.

E.B. Earle and Mrs. Sara Earle, parents of Pat Earle, with Mrs. Nancy Tyner, mother of Vicky Earle and Pat’s mother-in-law, at the recognition ceremony.

Spencer McLeod of McBee, President of the SC FFA Association, addressed the Recognition Program and Reception for McBee High School FFA members and Advisor held at Osborne’s on Thursday. McLeod was recognized as the State FFA Star in Agribusiness, the State FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and the State FFA Fruit Production Proficiency Award recipient. He will compete in the Extemporaneous Speaking and the Fruit Production Proficiency Award categories at the National FFA Convention set for Indianapolis, Indiana in October. He was also Third High Individual Scorer in the State FFA Agronomy Career Development Event. The team will compete in the national finals in October.

Kenneth Howle, president of the McBee FFA Chapter, was recognized as winner of the State FFA Individual Award, the State FFA Job Interview Champion and Pee Dee Region FFA Star Farmer Award. He was also recognized as the High Scorer in the State FFA Agronomy Finals which was won by the McBee team. The team will compete in the national finals in October.

Justin Hawksworth was recognized as the State FFA Star in Agricultural Placement and the second High Individual scorer in State FFA Agronomy finals.

Justin Threatt was recognized as the High Individual Scorer in the State FFA Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event.

Chrissie Segars was recognized for being named recipient of the coveted American FFA Degree which is the highest award available to an FFA member at the national level. She is a student at Clemson University majoring in Agricultural Education.

Megan Wayne was recognized as the State FFA Public Speaking Champion. She will also compete in the national finals at the upcoming National FFA Convention. (Megan was unable to attend the event in Florence because of a conflict in her schedule but was recognized any way)

Spencer McLeod (left) with Public Relations Official Stephen Hudson of the SC Department of Agriculture; and Pat Earle preparing for a press interview.

Heather Coleman, State FFA Vice President, of Latta attended the Recognition Program and Reception.

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Last Update: 8/22/2007
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State Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers (left) with Spencer McLeod, Pat Earle and Don Boice, Vice President of ArborOne Financial.	Jerry Holley (left), Chairman of the Chesterfield County School Board and McBee FFA alumnus; McBee FFA President Kenneth Howle and E. B. Earle, retired Agricultural Educator and FFA advisor at McBee High School after 41 years service. Mr. Earle is the father of Pat Earle, the present Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA advisor. The Earles have served Agricultural Education at McBee High School for a total of 62 years.

State Representative Jay Lucas (left), Spencer McLeod and Pat Earle.	Billy Keels (left), State Director of Agricultural Education with Clemson University; State FFA President Spencer McLeod and Earle Frick, a member of the SC FFA Foundation Board of Directors and retired State Director of Agricultural Education.

Roger Smith (left), President of the SC Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association, Jefferson; Edsel Williams, Member of the National Council on Agricultural Education, Britton’s Neck; Spencer McLeod of McBee; and Larry Rogers, an official with the USDA Farm Service Agency in Columbia. The USDA Farm Service Agency sponsors the National FFA Chapter Awards and Recognition Program.	Mrs. Gaie McLeod with her son, Spencer, during the reception at Osborne’s.

Don Boice (left), Pat Earle, Florence MORNING NEWS Reporter Chuck Tomlinson, and Spencer McLeod.

Pat Earle addressed the overflow crowd as Spencer McLeod listened approvingly.	McBee FFA members enjoy gorgeous food and fine fellowship at Osborne’s in Florence.

FFA members Christy McCormick (left) and Haylee Melton served as Guest Register Attendants for the event. Shown signing the Guest Register are Kemp and Gaie McLeod, the parents of State FFA President Spencer McLeod of McBee.	Vicky Earle, wife of W. Pat Earle and a teacher at McBee High School, watches the recognition ceremony approvingly.

Jack Shuler (left), President and CEO of ArborOne Financial headquartered in Florence, talks with Kemp McLeod, father of State FFA President Spencer McLeod and owner of McLeod Farms in McBee.	Kenneth Howle, President of the McBee FFA Chapter, gets a glass of punch during the reception.

Chesterfield County School Board Chairman Jerry Holley sits with McBee FFA members during the reception. Mr. Holley is an FFA alumnus of the McBee chapter.

Kirby Player, Director of Alumni and Donor Services, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University, shared some impressive statistics on the number of McBee FFA members who have attended Clemson University over the years.	Dr. Laurie C. Lawson of Darlington, Executive Assistant for Public Service and Agriculture at Clemson University, emphasized the strong support of Clemson University administrators for Agricultural Education and the FFA in South Carolina.

FFA member Jessica Howle videotaped the Recognition Program for the her chapter’s permanent records.	E.B. Earle and Mrs. Sara Earle, parents of Pat Earle, with Mrs. Nancy Tyner, mother of Vicky Earle and Pat’s mother-in-law, at the recognition ceremony.

Spencer McLeod of McBee, President of the SC FFA Association, addressed the Recognition Program and Reception for McBee High School FFA members and Advisor held at Osborne’s on Thursday. McLeod was recognized as the State FFA Star in Agribusiness, the State FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and the State FFA Fruit Production Proficiency Award recipient. He will compete in the Extemporaneous Speaking and the Fruit Production Proficiency Award categories at the National FFA Convention set for Indianapolis, Indiana in October. He was also Third High Individual Scorer in the State FFA Agronomy Career Development Event. The team will compete in the national finals in October.	Kenneth Howle, president of the McBee FFA Chapter, was recognized as winner of the State FFA Individual Award, the State FFA Job Interview Champion and Pee Dee Region FFA Star Farmer Award. He was also recognized as the High Scorer in the State FFA Agronomy Finals which was won by the McBee team. The team will compete in the national finals in October.

Justin Hawksworth was recognized as the State FFA Star in Agricultural Placement and the second High Individual scorer in State FFA Agronomy finals.	Justin Threatt was recognized as the High Individual Scorer in the State FFA Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event.

Chrissie Segars was recognized for being named recipient of the coveted American FFA Degree which is the highest award available to an FFA member at the national level. She is a student at Clemson University majoring in Agricultural Education.	Megan Wayne was recognized as the State FFA Public Speaking Champion. She will also compete in the national finals at the upcoming National FFA Convention. (Megan was unable to attend the event in Florence because of a conflict in her schedule but was recognized any way)

Spencer McLeod (left) with Public Relations Official Stephen Hudson of the SC Department of Agriculture; and Pat Earle preparing for a press interview.	Heather Coleman, State FFA Vice President, of Latta attended the Recognition Program and Reception.