The South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture now ranks among the top schools in the Palmetto State for earning industry-standard certifications from iCEV, the nation’s leading publisher of Career & Technical Education curriculum and industry certification testing.

Glenn Perryman of CEV Multimedia recently visited the school to present principal Gregory Thompson and the school’s ag teachers with a placard honoring all the students who received industry certifications from iCEV during the 2021-22 academic year. Through the iCEV’s intensive certification program, these students demonstrated mastery of the knowledge needed for entry into their respective career fields. According to iCEV, these certifications “promote a successful transition to postsecondary education and/or the workforce.”

“Industry certifications are proof that our students are not only leaders outside of the class, but academic leaders as well,” said Timothy Keown, president of the Governor’s School for Agriculture. “Being the top school in South Carolina with the highest number of certifications is a testament to our rigorous instruction that creates graduates who are ready to enter college or move directly to the workforce.”

Developed and issued by industry-leading companies and organizations such as Elanco and Southwest Airlines, and tested on the iCEV platform, these certifications enhance student résumés and help them stand out to prospective colleges and employers. These certifications reflect the needs of real-world career expectations, boost employability and allow employers to identify and connect with qualified applicants. To earn the certification, each student passed a rigorous exam based on weighted industry-valued and industry-accepted standards.

“Our goal in offering certification testing on the iCEV platform was to provide students with validation of the specialized skills they have developed and knowledge base they’ve built,” said Dusty Moore, president of iCEV. “The certifications are meant to have an immediate positive impact on students as they plan for their future after high school, whether that is attending college or joining the workforce. On behalf of CEV Multimedia and our industry partners, we congratulate all students at the S.C. Governor’s School for Agriculture on this tremendous accomplishment and wish them the best as they pursue their career goals.”

Our principal Gregory Thompson said he was proud of these students who have excelled in this certification programs. "It's a testimony to the hard work that our teachers and students have put in," he said. "It proves that the majority of our kids are career-ready and college-ready, and it makes our kids more well-versed and more marketable. We've had several companies and industries that are looking at our kids for internships and jobs coming right out of high school."

In 2021 and 2022 (so far), the following students have earned certifications from iCEV:

• BASF Plant Science Certification: J.C. Chandler, Kyle Gilreath, Lexie Hanna, Jake Parker, Jenna Tucker, Caleb Welsford.
• Benz School of Floral Design Certification: Kyleigh Adams, Riley Cox, Aestas Hodge, Emily Rodman, Sierra Tinsley, Valeria Vazquez, Allyson Wright.
• EETC Principles of Small Engine Technology Certification: Cole Hammond, Lexie Hanna, Caroline Jordan, Kaylee O’Neal, Preston Patterson, Harley Reeves, Ben Stone, Caleb Welsford.
• Elanco Fundamentals of Animal Science Certification: Grayson Chassereau, Anna Grace Cross, Hampton Davis, Trey Haddon, Evan Herring, Garrett Jolly, Carolina Jordan, Caitlyn Krout, Austin Landreth, Lauren Locklair, J.D. Miller, Preston Patterson, Jake Simpson, Kaytlin Smith, Ben Stone, Sierra Tinsley, Valeria Vazquez, Lacey Willis.
• NCLCA Principles of Livestock Selection & Evaluation Certification: Kyleigh Adams, Colette Alston, J.C. Chandler, Caitlyn Krout, Coralie Davis, Lauren Fenn, Lilly Fox, Sidney Grantham, Brooke Grondski, Trey Haddon, Mya Kowalke, Caroline Jordan, J.D. Miller, Katie Ostergaard, Jake Parker, Jake Simpson, Sierra Tinsley, Jenna Tucker, Leona Weber.
• Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification: Cole Hammond, Evan Herring, Kaylee O’Neal, Kaytlin Smith.