The Pendleton Chapter of FFA set a state record in June when they won three more state titles at the state convention at Clemson University.  This brings their total for the year to seven.  Mr. John Parris, director of the state FFA Office of Public Affairs said he believed this to be a state record dating back to 1928 when the precursor to FFA was started in South Carolina.

Titles in Poultry Judging, Prepared Public Speaking, and Extemporaneous Speaking.  Troy Dobbins was also elected as State FFA Secretary.

Zac MacDougal (Second High individual), Weston Link, Amanda Hunteman, Emma Job took top state honors in the Poultry Judging CDE, Troy Dobbins was tops in Extemporaneous Speaking , and Mackenzie Mullikin won the Prepared Public Speaking CDE. 

The chapter also received the Bronze National Chapter Award.  Troy Dobbins and Tessa Weatherly received State Degrees.  Lindsey Dobbins and Troy Dobbins earned Proficiency awards in Beef Production – Placement and Dairy Production – Entrepreneurship, respectively. Dr. Susan Wainscott was recognized with a State Honorary Degree. 

Other state titles this year include Floriculture, Nursery/Landscaping, Dairy Handler, and Livestock Evaluation.

State Titles for PHS FFA this year include Dairy Handling, Floriculture, Nursery/Landscape, and .

 

Pictured (l-r):  Grant Dalton, Troy Dobbins, Tessa Weatherly and Myron Hardin with Team Coach Josh Murdock.

        

The Pendleton High School FFA Floriculture Team took top honors in the State Finals held recently at Spartanburg Community College, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the FFA organization.
     As a result of this accomplishment, team members Katelyn McIntyre, Angel Woody, Mackenzie Mullikin and Talena Stewart along with team coach Blake Berry, Agricultural Education instructor and FFA advisor at Pendleton, were awarded expense-paid trips by the SC FFA Foundation to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, in October where they will compete in the National FFA Floriculture Finals. Katelyn McIntyre was the high individual scorer and Angel Woody took second place honors in the state finals.

      The state competition was planned and coordinated by Spartanburg Community College Horticulture Department faculty and Clemson University Agricultural Education administrative staff.

Pictured (l-r): Blake Berry, Katelyn McIntyre, Angel Woody, Mackenzie Mullikin, Talena Stewart


 

Mandy Martin (9th grade) competed and won the Dairy Handler competition at T.Ed Garrison on Friday, March 5, as part of the South Carolina Spring Dairy Show. She was judged on appearance, control of the animal, set-up, poise, and confidence. Contestants worked with animals that were not their own, so this competition was a true measure of handling skills. This was the first time this contest was offered at the show.  Mandy will now represent the Pendleton FFA chapter at the national level in October. 

 

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Carols rang out at Sterling House Assisted Living in early December as FFA members visited residents, sang carols, and delivered evergreen wreaths they made for resident doors. 

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The Pendleton High School FFA Wildlife Management team took 4th place honors in the state finals held at Piedmont Technical College on Saturday November 14, 2009.  Team members included Tessa Weatherly, Weston Link, Erica Hix, Nick Garland and Ryan Boggs along with advisor and agricultural education instructor Blake Berry.  “The Wildlife Competition is one of the most challenging events that the South Carolina FFA hosts because it involves many aspects of ecology, biology, and plant and game animal management”, Berry said.  Along with completing a written exam on wildlife management, the FFA members were also responsible for identifying large and small game mammals based on tracks, pelts, and skulls, identifying waterfowl and fish, ageing white-tail deer jawbones, scoring white-tail antlers,  sexing turkeys based on physical characteristics, and identifying common plants used in wildlife management. The purpose of the FFA Wildlife competition is to promote the skills necessary for a career in wildlife management. The event involved South Carolina FFA members statewide and was hosted by the Agriculture Department at Piedmont Technical College. 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.

During the week of October 20^th through 24^th, eight Pendleton High School FFA members attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. This year’s National FFA Convention celebrated its 82^nd anniversary with an attendance of over 55,000 FFA members from every state in the nation, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  Members attending included Tessa Weatherly, Katelyn McIntyre, Ryan Boggs, Troy Dobbins, Angel Woody, Meghan Vaughn, Clay Barnette, Weston Link, and advisor Josh Murdock and Blake Berry.  Troy Dobbins was chosen to serve as a special voting delegate during the business session of the National FFA Convention, while advisor Blake Berry represented the South Carolina FFA Alumni during the National FFA Alumni Convention held in conjunction with the National Convention.  Opening session began with an invigorating speech by Mike Rowe, host of the Emmy-nominated television series, Dirty Jobs.  That night crowds of FFA members filled the Lucas Oil Stadium for an exclusive concert performed by former FFA member, Toby Keith.  While at the National Convention, Pendleton FFA Members had the opportunity to meet and trade ideas with other South Carolina FFA members and members from around the nation.  They also toured the city of Indianapolis, including the state capitol building and the Indiana State Museum.  Between sessions, FFA members enjoyed the educational opportunity to view the FFA National Agricultural Career Show that boasted over 1,300 booths representing colleges and agricultural companies.  The theme of this year’s National FFA Convention was Lead Out Loud, and for the Pendleton FFA Chapter, it truly was an opportunity to lead out loud. 

For more information, please visit: http://www.ffa.org/convention/2009/index.cfm