SCFFA Public Relations

McBee FFA members claim the spotlight as others from across the state assemble for an
impressive ceremony on the north steps of the State Capitol.

SC FFA MEMBERS ATTEND LEGISLATORS APPRECIATION DAY

ARRIVAL OF STUDENTS

COLUMBIA, SC…Hundreds of FFA members from high school agricultural education departments throughout South Carolina arrived in Columbia on Wednesday morning, February 24. Parking meters in the blocks adjacent the State Capitol were covered with orange plastic bags and reserved for vehicles transporting FFA members. The students had come to visit their legislators, participate in the SC FFA-sponsored State Legislators Appreciation Ceremony at the State Capitol and enjoy the FFA Celebration Luncheon at the State Fair Grounds. They were accompanied by FFA advisors, school administrators, parents and other supporters.

EXECUTIVE BREAKFAST SESSION

National FFA President Levy Randolph (left); Chalmers Mikell, president of the SC Agricultural Council who co-sponsored the SC FFA Executive Breakfast with Mr. Parris at the Capital City Club in downtown Columbia; State FFA President Kerry Lee Cox and Clemson Collegiate FFA President Waylon Priester.

The special day began with an executive breakfast session presided over by State President Kerry Lee Cox at the Capital City Club in downtown Columbia. Clemson University Collegiate FFA President Waylon Priester offered the invocation. Among those in attendance were National FFA President Levy Randolph of Hemet, California; Nina Crutchfield, program specialist with the

National FFA from Arkansas; four state FFA officers; Clemson Collegiate FFA officers; Clemson University Agricultural Education administrative staff and faculty, Chalmers Mikell, president of the SC Agricultural Council; and other friends and supporters of the FFA. The breakfast was co-sponsored by the SC Agricultural Council and John W. Parris, state director of public affairs for the SC FFA Association.

STUDENTS VISIT STATE LEGISLATORS

Following breakfast, Mr. Parris accompanied the National FFA President, the State Officers and some Clemson University Agricultural Education officials to meet with State Representative Phillip Owens of Pickens who serves as Chairman of the House Education Committee; State Representative Jeffrey Duncan of Clinton, Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; and State Representative and FFA Alumnus Marion Frye of Leesville. The group also had an opportunity to meet State Senator and FFA Alumnus Ronnie Cromer of Prosperity.

Throughout the morning, a sea-like expanse of blue and gold jackets worn proudly by South Carolina FFA members filled the hallways of the government buildings, crowded the offices of legislators and waited quietly in the balcony of the State Capitol to be introduced to members of the House of Representatives while in Session by their respective State Representative.

National President Levy Randolph and state FFA officers Kerry Lee Cox, Anna Kate Waters, Kelsey Bridges and Lena Freeman were personally escorted to the State Capitol and introduced to members of the House of Representatives while in Session by Representative Duncan.


State FFA Secretary Anna Kate Waters (left), National FFA President Levy Randolph; State Representative Phillip Owens, Chairman of the House Education Committee; State FFA President Kerry Lee Cox; State FFA Vice Presidents Lena Freeman and Kelsey Bridges.	State Representative and FFA Alumnus Marion Frye (left) with Kelsey Bridges, Lena Freeman, Levy Randolph, Anna Kate Waters and Kerry Lee Cox. Representative Frye is a member of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

CEREMONY PROGRAM

Patriotic music from the massive sound system on each side of the State Capitol prepared the participants for the 11:00 AM ceremony on the north steps with Kerry Lee Cox presiding.

The Manning High School FFA Color Guard presents the Colors as Manning FFA member Shereka Williams sings the National Anthem.

The program began with the Presentation of Colors by Manning FFA members Thomas Matthews, Amanda Rhodus, Tyler Hale and Sr’Quena Witherspoon. The National Anthem was performed by Manning FFA member Shereka Williams. State Vice President Lena Freeman offered the invocation. State Secretary Anna Kate Waters and State Vice President Kelsey Bridges introduced approximately seventy special guests and award recipients who were seated in the dignitaries section near the bottom of the Capitol steps.

State Senator Daniel B. Verdin of Laurens, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, welcomed the group to the State Capitol and congratulated them on their preparation for a career in the agricultural industry. Representative Jeffrey Duncan read a Concurrent Resolution of Commendation adopted by members of both Houses of the SC General Assembly to recognize South Carolina’s FFA members and Alumni for their interest in and dedication to maintaining a strong and viable agriculture industry through education, leadership and service. Senator Verdin joined Representative Duncan in presenting the framed document to the State FFA officer team.

National FFA President Levy Randolph presented the coveted American FFA Degree to Lexington FFA member and former state FFA officer Will Amick and Abbeville FFA member Caroline Sherard, also a former state FFA officer. The president also presented the prestigious Honorary American FFA Degree to retired Agricultural Educator Harry DuBose of Myrtle Beach. Mr. DuBose was accompanied at the presentation by his wife, Gayle.

The Ceremony concluded with State Senator Daniel B. Verdin leading the participants in the singing of God Bless America as the benediction.

State Representative Jeffrey Duncan presented a framed copy of a Concurrent Resolution approved by the SC General Assembly to the State FFA Officer team and National FFA President Levy Randolph. The Resolution commends South Carolina FFA members and Alumni for their interest in a viable agriculture industry in our state.

FFA CELEBRATION LUNCHEON

Following the Ceremony at the State Capitol, more than 500 FFA members, advisors, parents and other guests traveled to the Moore Building on the State Fair Grounds for an FFA Celebration Luncheon catered by Shealy’s Bar-B-Que Restaurant of Batesburg-Leesville.

State President Kerry Lee Cox presided at the Luncheon and Vice President Lena Freeman offered the invocation. Secretary Anna Kate Waters introduced and welcomed a number of special guests who had joined the group for the Luncheon.

Dr. Thomas R. Scott, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, attended the Legislator’s Appreciation Ceremony at the State House and addressed the Celebration of FFA Luncheon.

Ms. Nancy Smith, associate general manager of the SC State Fair, welcomed the group to the Moore Building and expressed appreciation to the FFA members and advisors for their support of the Fair.

Dr. Thomas R. Scott, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University, praised the students for their interest in a career in the science, business or technology of agriculture. He encouraged them to enroll in an Agriculture Degree program at Clemson upon graduation from high school.

State FFA Vice President Kelsey Bridges introduced Ms. Amanda Nichols of Saluda, SC, president-elect of the SC Association of Agricultural Educators, who addressed the group and announced the observance of National Teach Ag Day on Thursday, February 25. The promotional event, sponsored by the National Association of Agricultural Educators, was designed to encourage FFA members to prepare for a career in Agricultural Education.

Ms. Nichols also announced that Midland Valley Agricultural Educator Jeremy Brooks of Graniteville, had been named winner of a free two-year lease on a Toyota Tundra Double Cab V8 truck provided by Toyota Motors Sales as advisor to the Outstanding Adult Agricultural Education program in the Southern states for 2009.

State Representative Roland Smith (left) presents Midland Valley Agricultural Education Instructor Jeremy Brooks a Resolution of Commendation adopted by the SC House of Representatives.

State Representative Roland Smith of Warrenville, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, congratulated Mr. Brooks and presented him a Resolution of Commendation adopted by the SC House of Representatives earlier in the day. Mr. Smith also thanked the Toyota officials for their support of Agricultural Education by sponsoring this unique recognition program.

Toyota Southeast Sales Manager Pat Center of Greenville, recognized Mr. Brooks and presented him with a set of keys to the truck which was prominently displayed near the head table at the luncheon.

The featured speaker at the Luncheon was National FFA President Levy Randolph on leave from California State University at Fresno while serving as a national FFA officer. He challenged the students to achieve excellence in academics while developing superb leadership skills necessary for a successful career in twenty-first century agriculture.

The State Legislators Appreciation Day Program and FFA Celebration Luncheon was planned and coordinated by John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization with assistance from Ms. Brenda Baldwin, administrative assistant with the State Agricultural Education Office.

A portion of the cost of the Celebration Luncheon was underwritten by the SC State Fair and Mr. Parris.


State Representative Jeffrey Duncan, Chairman, House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, introduced National FFA President Levy Randolph and the State FFA Officers to the House of Representatives while in Session.	State Senator Daniel B. Verdin welcomes the FFA members and guests to the State Capitol on behalf of the State Senate .

State Senator Daniel B. Verdin leads the FFA audience in singing God Bless America as the Benediction.

National FFA President Levy Randolph presented the American FFA Degree to Caroline Sherard and Will Amick.	National FFA President Levy Randolph presented the Honorary American FFA Degree to Harry DuBose as his wife, Gayle, looks on approvingly.

The SC State Fair is a major supporter of the State FFA Celebration Luncheon held at the Fair in conjunction with the State FFA Legislators Appreciation Day.	Nancy Smith, Associate General Manager of the SC State Fair, welcomed approximately 500 FFA members and guests to the Moore Building at the State Fair for the FFA Celebration Luncheon.	Amanda Nichols, Agricultural Education instructor at Saluda High School and president-elect of the SC Agricultural Educators, addressed the FFA Celebration Luncheon and introduced State Representative Roland Smith for a presentation.

Midland Valley FFA members admire their new truck.		Jeremy Brooks (left) accepts the keys to the Toyota truck from Pat Center, Toyota Southeast Sales Manager.

National FFA President Levy Randolph was the keynote speaker at the Celebrate FFA Luncheon.	The State FFA Officers celebrate the End of a Perfect Day!