US SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SPOTLIGHTS MCBEE FFA
IN NATIONAL CONVENTION ADDRESS

US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan singled out the McBee High School FFA Chapter in an address to delegates at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Thursday, October 21, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization.

In his remarks, Secretary Duncan said the FFA is a great example of incorporating a college-going culture with career training in agricultural sciences, business and entrepreneurship. “Innovative, award winning FFA programs are represented here today like McBee High School in South Carolina where 90 percent of the graduating FFA members enroll in postsecondary education,” the Secretary said. “FFA members actually designed and installed landscape irrigation systems for the McBee town library and the high school athletic facility,” he added.

The Secretary pointed out that there are more than 500 community colleges, technical schools and four-year universities with instructional programs in agriculture, food and natural resources. Ninety universities and colleges have teacher preparation programs in Agriculture Education. “The reach of Agricultural Education is growing every year,” he emphasized.

FFA advisor Pat Earle and 22 FFA members from McBee High School were at the National FFA Convention and in attendance at the session when the Secretary used the McBee FFA program as an example of twenty-first century quality Agricultural Education, Parris said.

More than 55,000 FFA members and guests attended the National FFA Convention which concluded Saturday afternoon, October 23.

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Last Update: 08/09/2010
This page is maintained by Brenda Baldwin.
Questions or comments should be sent to John Parris (scffa@bellsouth.net)