From left: Wayne Huddleston, Business Relations Manager, Agricultural Market, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, Hickory, NC; Aynor FFA Soil Judging Team members Cameron Flowers (left) with Daniel Rabon, Haley Sargent and David Page; Team coach Stacey Bazen; State FFA Vice President Brittany Mixson and State FFA President Spencer McLeod..
AYNOR AND PELION FFA SOIL JUDGING TEAMS HEADED
TO NATIONAL FINALS
COLUMBIA, SC….The Aynor and Pelion FFA Soil Judging and Land Treatment Teams will travel to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to compete in the National Land Judging Finals set for May 5-7, 2008. They were named the two top teams in the State Soil Judging Competition held at the Edisto Research and Education Center near Blackville, SC, on Saturday, November 3, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization.
Aynor team members Cameron Flowers, Daniel Rabon, Haley Sargent and David Page took first place honors in the state competition. Daniel Rabon, the high individual scorer in the competition, was awarded a plaque and an expense-paid trip to the 2008 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, in addition to the trip to Oklahoma. Cameron Flowers, the second high individual scorer, was presented an engraved watch. Team advisor Stacey Bazen, Agricultural Education Instructor at Aynor High School, was also awarded an expense paid trip to the National Finals.
Pelion FFA members Adam Christopher who was the third high individual scorer, Savanna Williams, James Shumpert and Brooke Whitaker along with their advisor, Frank R. Stover, Jr., were also awarded expense-paid trips to Oklahoma as the Runner-up team in the state competition.
Calhoun Falls team members Scott Sherard, Brittany Rhodes, Brian Hall and Trevor Price placed third in the state finals. Their advisor is Calvert Sherard, Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA advisor, at Calhoun Falls High School.
“Students who participate in the competition which is among the most difficult and comprehensive of all the FFA career development events, must match their skills in determining the adaptability of land for various purposes and uses such as farming and home site development,” Parris said. “The competition emphasizes principles essential for a career in environmental science, agribusiness, real estate marketing, home building and natural resource conservation,” he added.
The Soil Judging event is co-sponsored by Duke Energy, Progress Energy, SCANA, Inc., the SC Conservation Districts Association and the SC Conservation Districts Foundation.
The event is planned and coordinated by soil scientists from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Agricultural Education administrative staff with Clemson University.
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| From left: Wayne Huddleston, Business Relations Manager, Agricultural Market, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, Hickory, NC; Team members Adam Christopher, Savanna Williams and James Shumpert; Team Coach Frank R. Stover, Jr.; State FFA Vice President Brittany Mixson and State FFA President Spencer McLeod. Team member Brooke Whitaker is not pictured. |
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| Team members Scott Sherard (left), Brittany Rhodes, Brian Hall and Trevor Price with Team Coach Calvert Sherard. |