The South Johnston High School FFA Alumni recently hosted its first annual Reverse Raffle fundraiser to raise money for scholarships to be awarded to graduating SJHS FFA members. The event took place at American Legion Banner Post 109 in Benson. A total of 300 tickets were sold. Each ticket also included two meals at the event catered by Barefoot’s Country Store of Four Oaks. Several local business owners and community members attended the event and supported the scholarship initiative in many ways. NC FFA President, and SJHS alumna, Shelby Bireley attended the event with NC FFA Coordinator Jason Davis.
More than $12,000 was raised for scholarships through the event. The goal of the initiative is to raise at least $25,000 of unrestricted funds to begin a scholarship endowment which will annually fund scholarships for graduating SJHS FFA members. The scholarship committee of the SJHS FFA Alumni has developed a process for scholarship applicants and will be accepting applications from graduating SJHS FFA members through April 15. For additional information on scholarship applications please contact SJHSFFAAlumni@gmail.com.
Retired agricultural educators were recognized for their service at South Johnston. Speakers gave a brief introduction of each honoree and their impact, both in and out of the classroom. A cake was provided and auctioned by Scott Johnson, one of the retired SJHS agriculture teachers honored, in recognition of each former FFA advisor. Mule City Specialty Feeds, Inc. of Benson donated $5,000 to award scholarships in memory of former SJHS FFA Advisor, the late Clarence Warren, through the FFA Alumni affiliate. Paul Dunn, President of the company, was in attendance to present a check and to speak about Warren’s impact on Dunn’s life and career. Any individuals or companies interested in developing a scholarship with the FFA Alumni can contact the organization’s leaders at the contact information below.
Other advisors recognized were: Representative J.H. Langdon, Jessie Lassiter, Horace Johnson, Robert Hardie, and Scott Johnson. The current FFA advisors were also recognized. The current advisors are Kendall Parker, Cindy Adams, Candace Parker and Lakean Byrd. Kendall Parker spoke about his SJHS FFA’s appreciation for being awarded the America’s Farmers Grow Communities $2,500 by the Monsanto Fund which was made possible by Meadow community farmer, Jeffrey Lee and his support of the agricultural program at SJHS.
Mule City Specialty Feeds, Inc. sponsored the dinner entertainment provided by Sydney Wheeless and Friends. The final five ticket holders agreed to split the $3,000 grand prize.
The South Johnston High School FFA Alumni Affiliate and the fundraising committee hope that this will become an annual fundraiser. The next meeting of the affiliate will be on April 7th at 6:30 PM at South Johnston High School. Anyone interested in being a part of the organization is encouraged to attend. Call 919-902-0490, emailing SJHSFFAAlumni@gmail.com, or sending a message via the organization’s Facebook page.
