South Johnston ag teacher gets her day
BENSON – Prior to the business portion of the June 12th Benson Board of Commissioners meeting, the panel took time out to honor one of the women who is providing guidance and leadership for students at South Johnston High School.
Benson Mayor Jerry Medlin read a proclamation declaring June 12 as Candace Parker Day in Benson.
Mrs. Parker is the agriculture education teacher and FFA adviser at SJHS where she teaches animal science, equine science and veterinary assisting classes.
“Candace, we like to recognize teachers and people in education,” the mayor said prior to reading the proclamation. “That’s the basis of how our children get started. And as their education is, that’s the way they are.”
Mrs. Parker was honored for achievements at the school. She has facilitated the construction and growth of a livestock learning facility on the school campus, implemented a student livestock show team, a barn intern program, a vet assisting intern program and a pet salon intern program at SJHS. She has also been instrumental in the Laying the Foundation egg sales student business, served as the IDEAL academy facilitator, been credentialed as an adjunct University of Mount Olive faculty member and has been awarded seven grants over the last two years.
In addition, she has been awarded by North Carolina Farm Bureau an Ag in the Classroom “Going Local” grant. The money from the grant will be used to purchase a preserved equine digestive tract and stomach model to use to better educate interested students.
“Anytime that we see somebody that has done excellent in their profession, we like to recognize them,” Mayor Medlin said.
Mrs. Parker is a 2001 graduate of South Johnston High School and lives in Newton Grove. She thanked the panel for the honor and recognized two members of the school administration for their assistance in making her job a little easier.
“I’d like to say that I cannot do my job well without good leaders,” she said. “Two of our leaders at South Johnston High School who have done a better job than most can ever say are here tonight — Dr. David Pearce and Mr. William Weaver. They make my job easy because they give us what we need and what our students need. They make it happen for us as educators.”
Mrs. Parker then expressed her thanks to not only the commissioners, but to the Town of Benson as well.
“Thank you, Town of Benson, I love being a (Newton Grove) resident, but I’ve been (coming) to Benson my whole life,” she said. “I love this town and I appreciate the recognition.” Story courtesy The Daily Record
