Dan Henderson (left), Thurmond Technology Center Agricultural Education instructor and team coach; Team members Ryan Burns, Dustin Lalonde, Gaurage Patel and Christian Speight. Wayne Huddleston with Duke Energy is at right.
THURMOND AND LEXINGTON FFA SOILS TEAMS
HEADED TO NATIONAL FINALS
Thurmond Technology Center FFA Soil Identification and Land Treatment team members Ryan Burns, Dustin Lalonde, Gaurang Patel and Christian Speight were named state champions in the competition held in Saluda County recently. The team members and advisor Dan Henderson were awarded expense-paid trips to the National Finals to be held in Oklahoma in May 2010. Ryan Burns was the second place high scorer and Dustin Lalonde took third place honors.
Lexington Technology Center team members Audi Massinello, Robert Calamas, Carey Blanton and Kaylon Meetze took Runner-Up honors and were also awarded expense-paid trips to compete in the National Finals. Carey Blanton, the high individual scorer in the state finals, was awarded an expense-paid trip to the National FFA Convention in addition to the trip to Oklahoma. Tommy Harmon, Agricultural Education instructor at the Center, coached the team and will accompany them to Oklahoma.
Students who compete in the Soils and Land Treatment career development event must match their skill in determining the adaptability of land for various uses such as construction, home site development or farming. The competition emphasizes principles essential for a career in environment science, agribusiness, real estate marketing, home building and natural resources.
Co-sponsors for the state event include Duke Energy, Progress Energy, SCANA, Inc., the SC Conservation Districts Foundation and the SC Association of Conservation Districts. Wayne Huddleston, Business Relations Manager with Duke Energy from Hickory, North Carolina, and John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA and a trustee of the SC Conservation Districts Foundation, represented the sponsors at the event. Mr. Huddleston presented the plaques to the top placing teams and high scoring individuals. State FFA officers Kerry Lee Cox, Anna Kate Waters, Emmanuel Bankston and Gordon Best assisted in the competition and awards ceremony.
The competition was coordinated by Chris Corzine, assistant state director of agricultural education with Clemson University and conducted by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service soil scientists Emory Holsenback and Corry Calderon.
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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| Soils Team members Andi Massinello (left), Robert Calamas, Carey Blanton and Kaylon Meetze with team coach Tommy Harmon and Wayne Huddleston with Duke Energy. |