CLEMSON — During the 89th South Carolina FFA State Convention, held at Clemson University, recent Pickens High School graduate Haley Nealy was elected as the 2016-2017 SC FFA state sice president for the Piedmont region.

Nealy is dedicated to connecting and encouraging every FFA member she meets during her year of service.

Nealy will be attending Tri-County Technical College in the fall and plans to transfer to Clemson University to major in agricultural education. Nealy’s career goal is to earn her teaching credential and enter the classroom as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor.

The FFA is a National youth organization that is a part of agricultural education programs in middle and high schools. Nealy is in her third year as an active FFA member. While in high school and at the Pickens County Career & Technology Center, she studied animal science and was able to take advantage of many leadership-based opportunities.

While at the Pickens Career & Technology Center, Nealy served the FFA chapter as president and was an outstanding leader. Nealy attended the Washington Leadership Conference, and one component of this conference is the development of the FFA Living to Serve Plans. Nealy’s Living to Serve Plan was to conduct a blanket drive for the homeless and bring awareness to the growing issue of poverty in South Carolina and in Pickens County. The Pickens County CTC FFA Chapter donated 156 blankets and held a poverty awareness sit-in led by Nealy’s plan.

The mission of the FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.