History was made on Friday afternoon, May 27, as the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture honored its very first graduating class in commencement exercises on the Governor’s Green.

With stately John de la Howe Hall as the backdrop, the 21 members of the Class of 2022 walked across the stage and received their diplomas from school president Tim Keown and principal Greg Thompson. The ceremony was the culmination of a two-year journey for the school to its first “product” – as Mr. Thompson likes to call the graduates – since the state’s third Governor’s School was created in 2020 by the General Assembly and signed into existence by Gov. Henry McMaster.

The first students under the Governor’s School banner walked onto this campus in August 2020.

 “Many adjectives come to my mind when describing our 21 seniors; however, one descriptor in particular stands out to me: courageous,” Mr. Keown said. “Courageous decisions were made by parents and guardians – and our students – to make the decision to move from their comfortable homes and new school buildings to attend here. Our graduates are courageous for entering the agriculture, forestry, and natural resources industries. The work is not always easy, and the pay is not as competitive as other career options. Our students do have the passion and are driven by their common love for our planet.”

Aestas Hodge was honored as valedictorian for the Class of 2022, while Lee Fulmer was named salutatorian. In her valedictory address, Aestas reminded her fellow graduates that, “Today is monumental for you, this school and the future.”

“We’re the first graduating class of the first Governor’s School for Agriculture in America,” she said. “You’ve all done so much for this school, and your influence will last for years to come.”

In his salutatory address, Lee looked back at the campus history and thanked the school’s namesake Dr. John de la Howe for establishing the first educational institution on this 1,300-acre campus in his last will and testament in 1797. He also praised the faculty and staff who pulled together to launch the new school and who mentored the Class of 2022 to their graduation day.

“You have taken an idea and turned it into a reality, a vision and made it real,” Lee said. “You have taken kids and turned them into leaders. Thank you for the tireless efforts you have put into this school, myself and my classmates.”

The keynote address for the commencement ceremonies was delivered by Dr. Sharon Wall, who served as the interim president for the Governor’s School for Agriculture prior to Mr. Keown’s appointment. Dr. Wall was a tireless advocate for the school’s creation as the legislation made its way through the General Assembly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In acknowledging the support of family, friends and others who supported the first graduating class on their journey to history, Dr. Wall urged the graduates to “find your North Star – something you want to commit to – and go for it and make them proud. I have learned that you are the author of your book life. So, make one you can be proud of. Make it a best-seller.”

Prior to conferring diplomas on the 21 graduates, Mr. Thompson discussed the significance in the size of this first graduating class. “Ironically, the number 21 symbolizes protection, comfort and patience during a transition period. It also symbolizes the beginning of a new phase in life. So let’s get ready for the new chapter, and congratulations to the Class of 2022.”