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Barnwell County Career Center FFA Chapter Members attend the 95th SC FFA Convention in Greenville June 21st – 23rd (L-R): Kayla Peters, Jerry Sanders, Audrey Sanders, Dorie Myers, Samantha Cannon, Mckynzie Still, and Weston Sandifer. Not pictured: advisors Mindy Sandifer and Christle Tindall.
2022-2023 Barnwell County Career Center FFA Chapter President, Ms. Kayla Peters, won 1st place at Pelion High School in the Regional Extemporaneous Speaking Career Development Event in May. She finished 4th in the state event held recently during the S.C. FFA Convention.
2022 SC FFA Star Farmer and National FFA Bayer “Growing Ag Leader’s” Scholarship Award Recipient Weston Sandifer pictured with his parents, Jeff and Mindy Sandifer, and co-advisor of BCCC FFA Ms. Christle Tindall at the 95th SC FFA Convention held in Greenville June 21-23.
For the first time in history, the South Carolina FFA Convention was held in Greenville instead of on the campus of Clemson University.
After 95 years, South Carolina FFA membership is at its highest ever with over 9,000 members statewide from 7th through 12th grades and growing! This epic growth required a larger indoor convention space than Clemson could offer and Barnwell County Career Center FFA members were there for the historic event.
The convention held at the Greenville Convention Center June 21–23 brought many honors to our local FFA chapter. Seven members from the Barnwell County Career Center and their two advisors – Mindy Sandifer and Christle Tindall – participated in leadership and college admissions workshops, a delegate business session, a state competition, and four general sessions.
During Tuesday’s activities, 2021-2022 BCCC FFA Chapter Vice President Weston Sandifer was recognized on stage for his National FFA “Growing Ag Leader’s” $1,500 Scholarship and 2022-2023 Chapter President Kayla Peters accepted the Superior National Chapter Award. Ms. Peters also represented her chapter on Wednesday morning in the State Extemporaneous Speaking Career Development Event where she finished 4th overall. Peters won a trip to the State Convention by placing first in her regional event held at Pelion High School in May.
Wednesday and Thursday’s convention activities led to more honors for BCCC FFA with a 100 percent membership award, Weston Sandifer’s State Degree, and the Stars over South Carolina Ceremony where Weston Sandifer was joined on stage by his parents – Jeff and Mindy Sandifer, and Ms. Tindall, co-advisor of BCCC FFA. During the ceremony, he was recognized as the 2022 S.C. Star Farmer. Winners of this prestigious award have committed at least 300 working hours beyond class time or invested at least $1,000 in a production area of agriculture. The candidate must also have served at least 25 hours of community service and participated in at least five FFA activities above the local level. Sandifer will again be recognized for his S.C. Star Farmer Scholarship on August 11 during the Advocates for Agriculture Event at the S.C. Farmer’s Market Venue where Governor Henry McMaster will also be receiving his 2022 Advocate for Agriculture Award this year. This event is hosted by the Palmetto Agribusiness Council annually.
For many of the Barnwell County Career Center FFA members, the S.C. FFA Convention was their first overnight trip learning more about agriculture and the FFA due to previous years of Covid restrictions. The convention and other FFA activities outside of the classroom bring great networking opportunities for students as they mingle with others from across the state and sometimes even the nation. Observing as fellow South Carolina students give speeches to earn spots on the next S.C. FFA Officer team and hearing retiring addresses of the out-going officer team always inspires our local members.
This year’s convention attendees were also impressed as the National FFA President, Mr. Cole Baerlocker, served as a keynote speaker then later presented awards and mingled with S.C. FFA members.
For more information about the Barnwell County Career Center FFA follow them on Facebook or email msandifer@bccc80.com or ctindall@bccc80.com.
