Local FFA chapters, students honored

Five Aiken County high school FFA chapters received honors at a recent state conference at Clemson University, with Midland Valley High School and Aiken High School programs selected as among nine National Gold Emblem winners in South Carolina.

Chapters at Wagener-Salley High School, Ridge Spring-Monetta High School and the Aiken County Career and Technology Center were recognized as superior programs.

Aiken High's Seamus Cassidy was elected as State FFA vice president. Recent RS-M graduate Drake Yon was named the Lower State Regional State Farmer for his contributions to his chapter and his extensive work on his family's farm.

Aaron Floyd of Midland Valley received the Lower State Regional Individual Award.

Yon also earned a State FFA degree with the following FFA participants - Phillip Carnley and Wesley Carnley of Aiken High; David Hixon of the Career Center; Patrick Halcomb, Nick Ready, Kenny Rogers of Midland Valley; and Brittany Howard, Derek Shealy, Trevor West and Phillip Kyle Clark of Wagener-Salley.

For the second straight year, the Midland Valley FFA captured the prestigious S.C. Governor's Citation for Student Development as the top chapter in that effort. The recognition was based on an application submitted by the students, identifying successful activities in the areas of student, chapter and community development. Midland Valley will now enter national competition in that category.

"These achievements are a result of a group effort by members, parents, school faculty and administrant and community support," said Midland Valley agriculture instructor Jeremy Brooks. "While awards provide tangible recognition of chapter achievements, the true reward is producing young adults who are engaged learners, dedicated leaders and contributing citizens who seek to improve their community."

Midland Valley, Aiken and the Career Center also were cited for 100 percent FFA membership. Wagener-Salley was recognized for 90 percent FFA membership.

Drake Yon also received a $1,000 scholarship from the S.C. Young Farmer Agribusiness Association and a $2,000 scholarship from the National FFA organization. He was named state winner of the Beef Production Proficiency Award.

Wagener-Salley had two state champion teams in tool identification and agricultural mechanics.

In another recognition, Publisher Scott Hunter and reporter Rob Novit of the Aiken Standard were awarded at the state conference with honorary state FFA degrees for coverage of school FFA programs. They were nominated by Aiken High FFA adviser and agriculture teacher Meghan Wood.