Amy Williams (left), Kristy Durham, Ronnie Cann. Devan Herron, Fred Raines and Kaitlin Smith.
ABBEVILLE FFA DAIRY EVALUTATION TEAM IN NATIONAL FINALS
CLEMSON, SC… .Abbeville High School FFA Dairy Evaluation Team members Kristy Durham, Devan Herron, Kaitlin Smith and Ronnie Cann took first place honors in the State Finals held at Clemson University recently, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA Association. Kristy Durham was the high individual scorer in the state competition.
The team and FFA Advisor Fred Raines, Agricultural Education Instructor at Abbeville, were awarded expense-paid trips to the 2009 National FFA Convention by the Clemson University Spring Dairy Show and the SC FFA Foundation to compete in the National Finals.
Amy Williams, a senior at Clemson University majoring in Agricultural Education from Westminster, who is practice teaching at Abbeville High School under the supervision of Mr. Raines, assisted in coaching the state champion team.
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| Frank Sandifer (left) with team members Kelly Howell, Mason Blair, Samantha Adkins and Holly Canipe. |
York FFA members Kelly Howell, Mason Blair, Samantha Adkins and Holly Canipe made up the State Runner-Up team. They were coached by Frank Sandifer, Agricultural Education Instructor at the Floyd D. Johnson Technology Center in York. Holly Canipe was the second high scorer in the state finals.
Saluda FFA members Heather Dominick, Kristin Gentry, Brent Lake and Tori Crouch took third place honors in the state event. They were coached by Amanda Nichols, Agricultural Education Instructor at Saluda High School.
FFA member Troy Dobbins, a sophomore at Pendleton High School, was recognized as the third high individual scorer in the state finals.
Students participating in this animal science competition must officially place five sets of cow or heifer classes and give oral reasons on their placement of two of the classes to a dairy animal specialist.. They must also perform a dairy animal pedigree analysis, interpret a Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) record and do a sire selection study.
Clemson University Agricultural Education faculty and staff along with graduate students and collegiate FFA members conducted the state FFA career development event.
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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| Heather Dominick (left), Kristin Gentry, Brent Lake and Tori Crouch. |
Lindsey Arnold (left), a Clemson University Agricultural Education senior who is practicing teaching at Pendleton High School, Troy Dobbins and Pendleton High School FFA Advisor Abby Piotrowsky |