A delegation of more than 20 students and faculty advisors from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe attended the 95th annual National FFA Convention & Expo, held in late October at Lucas Oil Arena and other venues in Indianapolis.

One of those students, Sierra Tinsley of Pelzer, returned home with an overall third place finish in the National FFA Dairy Cattle Handlers Career Development Event (CDE). She competed against 30 contestants from around the United States.

More than 50,000 FFA members and guests were in attendance Oct. 26-29 at the National FFA Convention. These hundreds of delegates participated in a wide variety of educational opportunities and live entertainment, including concerts by country music stars Jimmie Allen, Russell Dickerson, Mickey Guyton and Lauren Alaina.

While at the convention, the Governor’s School for Agriculture’s Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management Team also claimed national honors, winning Bronze Team Overall in competition at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Team members included JC Chandler of Belton, Caitlyn Krout of Fair Play, and brothers Lee and Lyle Fulmer of Prosperity.

JC, Caitlyn and Lee won Silver individual honors in the Cattle Evaluation & Management CDE, while Lyle won Bronze individual honors. Their advisor is ag teacher Libby Templeton.

These CDE performances by these students – and the outstanding representation of the other Governor’s School for Agriculture students – in Indianapolis are a source of pride for agency president Tim Keown.

"To see this level of national success and achievement, while just in our third year, is almost unbelievable," Mr. Keown said. "That should prove to anyone the level of expectation our students have placed on them by our teaching staff and administration. I’m so proud of all our national FFA finalists who have set the bar high for those students who will come after them. Go Aggies!"

The 600-mile odyssey from McCormick County to Indianapolis also included stops along the way at the University of Tennessee Agriculture Department in Knoxville and a visit with JDLH alumnus and former FFA officer Marion Hollingsworth on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. Marion, who was part of the inaugural graduating class of the Governor’s School for Agriculture this past May, is now attending Asbury on an equine scholarship.