A delegation of student leaders from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe got a firsthand look at government in action on Wednesday, January 11, when they witnessed the inauguration of Gov. Henry McMaster.

      Gov. McMaster was sworn in for his second full term as South Carolina’s chief executive on the steps of the State House in Columbia. The students attending from the John de la Howe campus donned their FFA dress uniforms and watched the festivities from their seats among other invited guests, dignitaries and history-loving South Carolinians.

      “We get to represent agriculture, which is the number one industry in the state of South Carolina today, and Governor McMaster is such a huge, key leader in our industry,” said Caitlyn Krout of Fair Play in Oconee County, who serves as state vice-president of the South Carolina FFA Association. “People really don’t know that about agriculture, that it’s the foundation of our world, and people like Governor McMaster just make it 10 times better to shine that light in recognition of agriculture.”

      Krout was joined at the inauguration by fellow students Kyleigh Adams of Laurens, J.C. Chandler of Belton, J.D. Miller of Edgefield, Sierra Tinsley of Pelzer and Sidney Grantham of Westville, Fla. They were accompanied to the State House by FFA advisor Hunter Morton and Governor’s School president Tim Keown.

      “It’s very important for us to be here today because of all that Governor McMaster has done not only for our FFA chapter but also our school,” said Kyleigh Adams, who serves as vice-president of the Governor’s School for Agriculture FFA chapter. “It’s very important to be a part of history and a life-changing opportunity, not only for South Carolina but for agriculture as a whole.”

      In December 2020, Gov. McMaster visited the 1,310-acre John de la Howe School campus in rural McCormick County for a ceremony to sign the legislation designating the newly re-organized institution as the state’s third Governor’s School. It continues to be the only residential high school in the United States devoted to agriculture education.

      In this year’s inaugural address, Gov. McMaster reinforced his commitment to public education in South Carolina.

      “We must do whatever it takes to see that every child in our state has the opportunity to receive an excellent education. Albert Einstein said, ‘A problem can never be solved by thinking on the same level that produced it.’ He was right; we must think big and bold, and we will,” Gov. McMaster said.

      According to their FFA advisor Mr. Morton, the students’ field trip to the governor’s inauguration was a “fun time – being able to bring these kids out here, allow them to experience a moment in history that they’ll be able to remember, look back on and maybe be starstruck and want to run for office one day.”

      Following the inaugural ceremonies, the Governor’s School for Agriculture delegation was invited to visit with State Rep. Shannon Erickson of Beaufort County in her House of Representatives office. She challenged them to continue to shine both in the classroom and as the future leaders in agriculture.

      “I love it when I see you out doing competitions,” Rep. Erickson said to the young leaders. “I love it when you invite people onto campus. All of those things matter. You’re paving the way for so many other people to come behind you and have that opportunity.”

      For more information on the S.C. Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe, visit our website at www.delahowe.sc.gov.