Edwin Collins Heads State Future Farmers; Fine Convention Ends

Edwin Collins of Conway was elected president of the state organization of Future Farmers of America for the ensuing year yesterday morning at Drayton hall at the University of South Carolina. Twenty-two boys were awarded the coveted “State Farmer” charms, the highest honor attainable in the state FFA.

Other officers elected are as follows; First vice president, Dwight Holder of Pickens; second vice president, Worth Vassey of Chesnee; third vice president, J. P. Fox, Jr. of Walterboro, and fifth vice president, Theron Epps of Kingstree.

The first vice president will serve as secretary, the second vice president as treasurer, the third vice president as reporter, and the fourth and fifth vice presidents are members of the executive committee.

The following boys received “State Farmer” charms:

Duncan Kirkland, Blaney; Dwight Holder, Pickens: Windell Knox, Rock Hill; Kenneth Hardee, Loris; Cecil Buddin, Kingstree; Frank Thomas, Manning: Kenneth Holliday, Manning; Edwin Collins, Conway; L. H. Fowler, Loris; Waldo Hinson, Mullins; Morgan Coker, Tuberville; Cannon Sandel, St. Matthews; Donald Watson; Blaney; Robert Smith, Camden; Paul JOrdan, Camden; Lyle Burton, Rock Hill; Marvin Stewart, Fountain Inn; Joe Thomason, Fountain Inn; Jack Gilleland, Laurens; Frank Smith, Easley; George Butler, Mt. View, and Charles Gibbs, Laurens.

Honorary degrees were awarded to R. D. Anderson, district supervisor and H. A. Price, agricultural teacher at Aynor. J. G. Jones, agricultural teacher at Fountain Inn, received a certificate of merit.

Four hundred enthusiastic youth and 175 teachers of agriculture in the state attended the convention. The boys attending represented the more than 6,000 FFA members in this state.

D. J. Haigler of Cameron won the state speakign contest Thruday night, using as his subject, “Co-operative Marketing of Farm Products.”Friday night John Norris, Jr., of Holly Hill was announced as winner of the state essay contest.

J. LEster Poucher of Largo, Fla., president of the national organization of FFA was present at the convention. He addressed the convention Friday morning.

Mack Owens of Orangeburg, state first vice president, presided over the meetings.